time is movin' so slow | pre-gathering chatter

[CLAYFUR]

There’s a tiredness hovering about the tom, lying heavy along his spine and tugging at his paws with each step he takes. His grief has left him, for now, but in its place it has only left a swirling pit of… nothing. Mindless, needless rage persists, but mostly he just feels numb. He’d gotten to see it, to lay paws upon the place where he’d asked Clear to be his mate; he’d left a few pebbles, blue and white, in the spot, and hopes that no filthy ThunderClan paws have touched them. By all accounts, his spirits should be high, but they simply aren’t. There’s not much to be happy about, and yet he has still dragged himself to another gathering.

He hopes to see one ghostly figure in particular, for what will be the third gathering in a row. He’s had a joke stewing for two months now, and he’s eager to get the chance to tell it. He only hopes that he doesn’t run into any ThunderClan or WindClan cats while he’s here—there’s a promise of peace while the clans are gathered tonight, but he wouldn’t put it past either of the low-life clans to try something.

// searching for rosemire but open to interactions (:
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[ YOU ARE THE STARS TO ME ]​

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[WILDHEART]

Wildheart prowled into the clearing and he swept the place with a wary glance as if expecting to see some form of trouble. Though there was nothing to note, not that it put him at ease. No doubt he would be on edge all evening as long as Patchpaw was about. Idly he twitched his ears whilst giving a flick with the fluffy stump that made up the remains of his tail. Exhaling sharply, he then picked a spot to sit down at so he could continue his duty of watching out for his clanmate.

//Looking for @Patchpaw , but still open to interactions!
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[LAKEMOON]

LAKEMOON — me and the devil, walking side by side.
Attending a gathering was a privilege, something Lakemoon often throughly enjoyed being apart of.
Yet, she couldn’t help except feel nothing but a bittersweet tug in her chest as she broke the foliage and poured into the clearing alongside her clanmates. She had no family to greet this time, although not because of her one infamous grudges, but for the sake of standing with her clan, with her mate who’s sight would forever be marred.
She doesn’t look for Thunderclan, her sharp gaze instead drifting towards where Shadowclan had yet to enter from. Lakemoon could only hope Sootstar and Cicadastar could keep their tempers even this time around.
Wishful thinking, she knew.

//open for interactions!
"speech"

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[SHININGSUN]

☼ A voice beckoned his attention and Shiningsun promptly found himself facing a familiar SkyClanner. The tom chuckled merrily as he smiled at the younger individual, waving his tail in a friendly manner. "Fireflypaw! Great to see you again!" He wanted to remark on how much they had grown since the time of their last meeting, but it kinda felt clique! Though that didn't make it any less true. "I know! It's bustling already! So, how are ya doing? I hope things have been better, you know, given the troubles with cats being snatched. I'm still sorry to hear the news about all of that, I can't begin to imagine how awful the past few moons have been for everyone in SkyClan." Naturally he knew nothing about the recent big rescue attempt, that much was clear.

//Interacting with @Fireflypaw
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[SUNFLOWERMASK]

————— ☀ —————
AND IF IT EVER STARTS TO FEEL BAD, LITTLE FANG

It's a relief to see the ShadowClan apprentice again, a familiar face among the strange swirling crowd. This time they do not worry for Clan tensions; it is the full moon, and the truce cannot be broken without angering the stars. They do not hesitate to follow with her silent offer, paws moving quick to keep pace with her. No words are exchanged as they go together to the secluded spot that she has found, a pocket of quiet and peace among the crowded clamor.

She does not ask anything of them, and it's nice — it's a chance to breathe again, to calm their wild nerves. It can't last, of course. Another cat comes and approaches the pair, chriping a greeting. The approach of a stranger brings fears of some loudmouth here to break the careful silence which they've found; they relax a bit as what is apparently a SkyClan apprentice speaks in softer tones than they'd hoped. Sparrowpaw, their name is, and Sunflowerpaw is struck by the realization that they still don't know the ShadowClanner's name. After a moment, their voice comes barely audible over the surrounding noise, "Sunflower." Simple, one word and nothing more. The other two can fill in the 'paw' part themselves, especially if Sparrowpaw is perceptive enough to already know which clan each is from.

They keep Sparrowpaw's gaze for a moment, curious. They're very friendly, surprisingly so for a Clan that seems to hold little sympathy for the moor-cats. Weird. Yet they soon turn to the ShadowClan apprentice, awaiting the answer they've been wondering about since seeing her for the first time, golden eyes looking over her with far more clarity now that they've recovered a bit.

IT'S EASY TO EXPLAIN 'CAUSE THIS WORLD'S NOT TAME
————— ☀ —————

.°☀ info ; visual

• // interacting with @Maggotfur. & @sparrowpaw!
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• SUNFLOWERPAW named by their half-brother vulturemask after his friend and mentor.
  — they/them, 6 moons.
  — windclan apprentice, mentored by wolfsong.
  — reserved yet loyal, distrusts most.
  
  primary character, high activity. penned by saturnid.​
• "SPEECH"
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• 

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[lichenstar]

The amount of warm bodies that existed in this space never failed to make Lichentail nauseous... too many pelts brushing by, two-toned whispers making half-hearted jabs and glaring eyes that pretended to offer kindness. That was the one thing she hated most... was the fakeness of it all. No one here actually meant well... it was a mandated peace, nothing more. It wouldn't be long before the smiles and laughter between groups became claws and teeth dug into throats.

Frowning slightly, she clung to the familiar faces of her peers, wishing for nothing more than for this to go quickly and without incident. If she trusted her sibling to be on faer best behavior, she wouldn't feel the need to tag along but... Ripplesnap always did struggle with having a filter and Cicadastar was no saint either. She wanted to be prepared... and wanted to be the first to know trouble was coming.

Briefly she wondered what news her leader would be willing to share- they were still in recovery and with Ashpaw's recent disappearance? They would look weak.

Standing beside Clayfur, she offered the other warrior a nervous smile, glad at least to see him nearby. So many strangers.... So many masks being worn tonight.​

-- huddled by @CLAYFUR . looking for @ripplesnap . open to interaction! --​

 

[Talonflame]

( PRETEND THAT YOU NEVER WENT TO SCHOOL )

"Woah... those are the she-cats who attacked me!" Talon couldn't stop himself from blurting out the words as he gawked over at Howlingstar and Sootstar. He remembered the day that he had been attacked and chased off of ThunderClan territory by a warrior known as Howling Wind, and then there was when he was chased down like a rabbit for a damned mouse by a patrol of WindClanners led by Sootstar. It was proving to be a small world indeed.

A growl rumbled in his throat as he stalked further along in search of... well, some form of company. Gatherings were for being social, right? Just why had he been picked for this? Was Blazestar hiding a wicked sense of humour? Perhaps. Heaving a sigh, he scoured the growing throng of felines until his sights landed upon that of a she-cat. He recognised the scent as being RiverClan, so he headed for her with a sense of intrigue. "Hey there, RiverClanner right?" He queried as he sat himself down near Lakemoon. "This is... er... my first gathering. What do cats typically do at these sorts of things?"

//Talking about @SOOTSTAR and @HOWLINGSTAR , interacting with @Lakemoon . ​

( BUT STILL, YOU'LL NEVER GET IT RIGHT )

 

[hitch]

Rosemire's steadfastly ignoring the RiverClan's leader, which is fairly easy given how many cats attend the gathering. He hopes, for a moment, that Clayfur has remained in RiverClan for this meeting, but it doesn't take long to spot the darker tom with a clanmate at his side. Thankfully, she isn't one he'd met the last time; he doesn't know that his nerves could handle either an awkward silence or an attempt to discuss his brief interaction with their leader.

Maybe Clayfur has saved a joke for him— it's something to look forward to, at least.

Drawing in a deep breath and swallowing down as much discomfort as he can without choking, Rosemire leaves his fellow ShadowClanners behind to approach Clayfur. He still seems sad. In truth, many other RiverClanners seem a bit somber too, and he wonders if something else has happened or if the loss of Sunningrocks wears them down. He knows that's not the case for Clayfur— not the only case, that is. His eyes were heavy long before that battle.

"I think it's your turn for the joke," he says, glancing briefly at the blue-eyed warrior nearby. He smiles at her stiffly. "I need to learn a few new ones. I'm thinking of trying my paw at being a fun, eccentric uncle— without the siblings, or the nieces and nephews." Sounds a bit weird, doesn't it? To be fair, it's just a bit of banter. An attempt, anyway.

//interacting with @CLAYFUR and sorta @lichentail

I N F O R M A T I O N
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[Rabbitnose]

Rabbitnose followed his clan into the clearing, notably less cheerful than usual. The sky was clear and the moon shone beautifully in the sky, chatter surrounded him and.....All he could think about was Mousepaw. He could only think about what she had said, could only dwell on the deep wound it left on his heart. All he could feel tonight was pain.

He sat down and stared off into the crowd, noting faces he knew. He spotted a few of the Riverclan cats that were at the battle for Sunningrocks, giving him a brief hint of unease. As he continued looking around he began to realize...... The only clan that didn't give him anxiety was Skyclan.

Man.

Why did things have to be so difficult. Why couldn't everyone just chill in their territory.

He gave a quiet sigh as his mind wandered back to the biting words Mousepaw had given him, thinking of what he could do or say to comfort her. Somehow, that was easier to dwell on than the politics of the clans.
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[Snakeblink]

MAYBE I'D BE A SAINT IF I WEREN'T ————————————​

Snakeblink never goes to the Gathering. It’s not a hard rule or anything: he just doesn’t like it. Too much risk just to hang around talking to people he doesn’t care for — and it’s not like he can enjoy the downtime anyway. The only time he went, at the start, he spent the whole night worrying about what’s going on back home, and he knows it would be the case again now. Is everything alright? Is the camp still standing? Did they get another flash flood, are all the kits floating away while they make stilted small-talk? It doesn’t bear thinking about. Better he stays behind, to act if needed.

But with recent events being what they are, he thought it wise to present an united front at the Gathering — so against his better judgment, he has come along tonight.

He sticks close to @Cindershade ’s bulk as the Riverclan delegation approaches Fourtrees, as if he might hide his spindly form in her shadow if only he slouches low enough.

”It’s so… busy,” he mutters to the dark-furred molly as he casts uneasy glances around. He knows there’s a truce in place under the full-moon, but the number of potential enemies here still has his back crawling. He knows it can only be paranoia, but he feels like he’s being watched...
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——————————————————————————————————— so god damn lonely ​

ooc. information.

• ooc: interacting with @Flamewhisker ... not that he's aware of it yet
  
• — Snakeblink • he / him. 40 ☾, riverclan warrior
  — a sleek, skinny tabby with long ears and a scar over his right eye.
  — gay, not actually evil, penned by @Kangoo
  
  
  

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[Howlfire]

It has been far too long since Howlpaw had walked these hallowed lands. She had long since given up on seeing these lands again after being taken to the shelter, much less walking here again. The chocolate torbie joins the rest of her clanmates in filing into the clearing, looking around at the other clan cats present and trying to recognise any faces among the crowds. Howlpaw was looking for a place to settle but her mind can't help but wander to thoughts of her siblings. Would Burnpaw and Moonpaw be here? What of the half-siblings she had yet to meet but would surely be apprentices now? The last time they had spoken here things had not ended well between them and Howlpaw was quietly nervous about something similar happening again.

// looking for @BURNPAW ! / @Moonpaw but open to any interactions with family members​

 

[CLAYFUR]

The clanmate who settles at his side is one who he knows well enough to flick an ear at, tipping his head toward her in acknowledgment. They look just as uncomfortable as he feels, and so he asks in a low voice, "You ever been to a gathering before, Lichen?" He remembers his first gathering, immediately following the death of his mate—what horrible timing. He hopes that Lichentail has a better time tonight than he’s had any nights of the gathering.

It’s only a few moments of waiting before they’re approached by a figure, pale as the moon hanging overhead. Dull hazel eyes flick up to look the tom in the face, and he forces a grin onto his muzzle that he hopes comes off as easygoing. As he stares at the ShadowClanner, Clay is struck with a thought. This is so weird. He’d once hated ShadowClan as a whole, and now he seeks out one of them at every gathering, to exchange stupid jokes like they’re friends. But they aren’t friends, and he can’t ignore that. Someday he might face Rosemire in battle, might lose another loved one to this stranger. The white-furred warrior might not even like him at all, might hate him but entertain this back-and-forth for some sinister reason.

He recalls the other tom’s abrupt departure during the last gathering, and tries not to let his mood show on his face. With an amused flicker of his tail, he replies, "You’re right, it is. And I could teach you a lot about being the fun uncle, I think." Not that his nieces and nephews think he’s particularly cool—he’s half certain that Icicle thinks he’s a giant loser, actually. He glances around the crowds of gathered cats, then back at Rosemire. "How many cats can you fit in an empty clearing?"

// talking to @lichentail and @rosemire
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[ YOU ARE THE STARS TO ME ]​

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[GREENEYES]

Somber he is, on a trek that he's usually bounding forward through. A spring in his step gone for the usually bright boy, as he arrives to the clearing.

His first gathering as a warrior, and he's hardly feeling like being here. He's supposed to be excited for this gathering, to hear Blazestar share the news of his graduation. And while there was a little excitement at first to be here, his expectations declare it to be another moment lost among his grief.

This should be a good night - he should find someone to talk to, find a means of distraction from his mourning. Viridian gaze scans the clearing in hopes of finding a familiar face to converse with, uncertainty rising in him.

// open to interactions!​

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[Cindershade]

Ivory whiskers twitch, the feeling of the gangly tabby beside her felt foreign—felt strange. He'd never opted to participate in the Gatherings, but tonight something was different. She prowled elegantly through the darkness, feeling a sense of duty to half way guide her nocturnally blind clan mate through the foliage so he didn't make a fool of himself and of RiverClan. They needed to show a sense of grace and power to the other clans as always, a vision that they would always remain strong no matter the circumstances.
She kept close to him, @Sablepaw along her other side as the grassy clearing opened up before them. The sky was clear, not a cloud within sight upon the Indigo sky. The moon was vibrant with its luminescent beauty, illuminating everything into a soft light of silver.
Cindershade eyes Snakeblink from the side, shaded tail twitching ever so slightly as he speaks to her, notably clinging to her stocky frame as if he wished he was anywhere but here. "Calm down." She instructs cooly, though not nearly as abrasive as she would usually speak with him. "You'll be fine. Just—ugh. Just stick close with me." So I can keep a better eye on you, she wants to say, but she decides it would be best to keep quiet this time. Snakeblink had been quite—off, even more off than the norm. She knows the disappearance of Ashpaw has rocked him to his core, as it did for them all. It almost makes her want to keep Sablepaw close to her breast as well, to ensure no harm would ever come to her. Her gaze flickers to her bi-colored protégé for a moment, verdant eyes searching for periwinkle. Rationally, she knows in her mind she can't do that. Sablepaw was becoming a capable apprentice, surely she'd be okay (despite her mishap in the rivet a moon ago). With a huff, she flicks her thick tail along Sablepaw's flank. "Go ahead and mingle, child. Remember what I've said to you: be cordial, but be ever watchful." She finalizes with a nod of dismissal and turns back to her lengthy counterpart.
Its so...busy. "Obviously." She snorts, moving towards the center of the crowd and not taking notice to a watchful emerald gaze upon Snakeblink's hide. "Many cats from the other clans come to the Gathering." She notices a spindly tom of obsidian, his stark white face noticeable within the crowd as he sits where Orangeblossom once did. Was she alright? Velveteen ears flick, and once she meets his gunmetal gaze, she offers him a respectful nod in passing. Her verdant gaze then lingers upon the empty space beside him, a place where Buckgait once resided. A prickling sensation in her shaded knuckles wanted to sit there, to be a second in command—but she would refrain. Besides, with the firmer deputies duties divided to the lead warriors, everything had been going over rather smoothly; though an underlying ambition still pulled at the back of her mind. Whoever Cicadastar would finally choose to replace the earthen queen, she'd respect it. Her head swivels around, looking amongst the crowd for any other familiar faces.

//interacting with @Snakeblink
Acknowledging @ThistleBack
and apprentice tag for @Sablepaw !

Open for interactions!!<3

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[ SILENCE IS DEAFENING ]​

 

[HOWLINGSTAR]

It is WindClan that arrives next with Sootstar quickly taking her place on top of the Great Rock. Howlingstar regards her with a glance, remaining cordial but never quite letting her guard down around the smaller she-cat. She straightens herself, holding her head high with dignity as she responds in an even tone, "Newleaf is a blessing, as always. The forest is more plentiful than the marshes had been all those seasons ago, can you imagine?" An attempt at small-talk, speaking of memories the two shared when they had once lived together in what is now ShadowClan territory. "I'm sure the moorland is the same. The wet ground in the bog was never exactly kind to hunters."

// talking to @SOOTSTAR​

 

[LAKEMOON]

LAKEMOON — me and the devil, walking side by side.
Woah, those are the bitches who attacked me! The outburst is grating against her eardrums, but the curiosity still draws her gaze to Talon, who is gawking at both Howlingstar and Sootstar above, where the Thunderclan leader made idle conversation with the smoked tyrant.
She stares for only a moment before the cat who had made the exclamation plops down next to her, jaw practically flapping with how quickly he spoke.
"Firstly, I don’t think we yell to call the leaders bitches." She replies with a dismissive flick of her tail. Yet, when he still remains close by she exhales, she supposes it was better than staring off into the distance like some.. loser.
"But yes, Riverclan. Your name?" She replies, shooting back with her own question. The pines reeked off of his pelt, and the question of his own home clan was unneeded.

// IC opinions talking with @Talon

"speech"

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[Maggotfur.]

EYES COVERED IN INK AND BLEACH
maggotpaw | 06 months | female | she/her | physically easy | mentally hard | attack in bold mediumpurple​

---

A smug sense of satisfaction coils in Maggotpaws chest when the other apprentices follows her - it's always a pleasant feeling she thinks, to be obeyed, to be in charge. But pale paws barely fall still before the quiet is interrupted by a not so familiar face - and turquoise gaze practically sparks in the moonlight, cold and unwelcoming. But it's too late now - the other has already introduced themselves as sparrowpaw, and maggie is not stupid enough to start a proper brawl now of all times. Starclan has cursed her and shadowclan enough without shedding blood at a gathering.

The sound of a quiet voice beside her actually startles her, though its no more than a twitch of her pelt and widening of her eyes that quickly flattens back out into her usual cold and uncaring expression. Sunflower- a sickeningly pretty name, fitting for a feline with such a pelt. She's the only one remaining silent, and she tips her head to the side slowly. "My name is Maggotpaw. I suppose it is nice to meet you," though she certainly doesn't sound pleased. She doesn't even dignify the question of which clans they're from with a response - sparrowpaw must be truly stupid if they're still unfamiliar with clan scents at that age.

// interacting with @sparrowpaw! + @sunflowerpaw
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[Patchpaw [in.]]

THERE'S A WORLD THAT WAS MEANT FOR OUR EYES TO SEE​

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Patchpaw couldn't recall the last time she had attended a gathering. She felt somewhat sheepish for not being able to remember such a seemingly simple thing, but it was true; if one had told her she had never attended one in the first place, she'd believe them. But even now, a part of her wished that Rabbitnose had told her to stay--even if it was to punish her for sneaking out with Wildheart--for the very act of stepping into the clearing alongside the rest of her clanmates was incredibly nerve-wracking. There was a tension in the air, as if a very fight would break out here if not for the truce that all clans upheld on this night, and Patchpaw wanted nothing more than to run far, far away, and with that thought came only more guilt.

She has to find Wildheart.

Steeling herself towards the tricolored tom, Patchpaw nuzzles up to his shoulder and gives him a weak, yet earnest smile. "I haven't been to a gathering in a while... So I figured I'd come join you. You know?" She sits down next to him, noticeably shifting closer to his side so she could feel the brush of his pelt against hers. It was strange... A part of her wanted to intermingle with all of these other cats from other clans, but maybe it was better she stuck with her own clan--and by Wildheart's side--for a while. At least until things calmed down enough to where it wasn't awkward trying to talk to a RiverClan apprentice after ThunderClan had just claimed Sunningrocks.
Her focus, however, was quickly diverted to her mentor. He was only a few steps away from her, head and tail hung low. Something had to be bothering him--why else would he be so quiet...?

"...I hope Rabbitnose is okay. I-I don't know if he's told anyone about, um, us, but he certainly doesn't look too happy..." She murmurs to Wildheart, frowning as she curls her tail in close. "Maybe I could go talk to him?"

// interacting with @WILDHEART and sorta @Rabbitnose !​

 

[DOVEPAW!]

.you want a battle —————————

————————— i'll give you war.

▵ ———————— ◮ ———————— ▵

THE NEWLY MADE APPRENTICE GRINNED EXCITEDLY, REFRAINING FROM bouncing on his paw pads, tail twitching instead. Oh! Oh! Look at everyone! “T, There’s so m,many!” He rambled, head whipping around him to stare at the colorful array of pelts, soaking up the sight like it was his last meal.

A giddy grin adored his darkened lips, owlish optics twinkling, nothing dimming the light that glowed. He couldn’t wait to meet everyone or at least … a few. A laugh bubbled up from within his throat, the black-and-white tom swallowing down the notion, knowing he’d receive a few stares at the absurd cackling. Don’t make a fool of yourself, Dove. He remained himself. He really didn’t need to embarrass himself and his clan for being an incontinent apprentice.

Dove winced at the thought, ears drooping at the thought. He really was an awful apprentice. He still couldn’t hunt as well as most of the apprentices. Stars! He had been held back for being a stupid, curious kit chasing after a butterfly. Oh, stars.

The blue-eyed apprentice stumbled, nearly tripping over someone’s tail with a startled yelp, head whipping to stare at the bright blue optics of a warrior ( @SMOKEFANG ) who sneered, telling him to watch where he was going. “S, Sorry m, mister!” He muttered, ears tucked against his helm sheepishly. You’ve gone and done it! Just had to get lost in your own head, huh? Stupid!

He offered another shuttered apology, shuffling away from the massive warrior with a nervous chirp, glancing through the sea of cats to catch sight of the familiar pelts of his clan, relaxing into his haunches. Deep breaths. He reminded himself, kneading the ground absently.

open for interactions !

thoughts speech​

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[LITTLE WOLF]

Little Wolf makes her way into the clearing with the rest of her clanmates. Her green eyes sweep the crowd then eventually follow her mother up to the high rock. Though she knows it's foolish, though she knows it'll just send her heart into a painful twist she can't help but search for Blazestar's familiar pelt. He had not joined the others yet though, it seemed, and so she is content to just settle down, to wait for someone else to talk to her or seek out friends from another clan. That is, until her eyes alight on her son.

"Fireflypaw?" she calls out, pushing through cats so that she is standing next to him, green eyes gazing down upon his face with horror and dismay "What... oh my dear what happened to you? Why are your eyes all scratched up like this? Who did this?" she wants to cry, wants to go and find whatever or whoever had hurt him in this way and give them scars to match. She looks to the warrior he is with, as if they'll answer if he doesn't.

Fireflypaw was a medicine cat apprentice, he should have been safe from danger in Dawnglares den how could something like this have happened?

// interacting with @Fireflypaw and @SHININGSUN
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