WHAT A TERRIBLE HONOR [november gathering]

[SCORCHSTAR]

༄༄ The sudden cold snap has drained them all, she thinks as she looks to the other cats perched on the rock around her and then to the clans crowded below. Those who do not look tired, look angered. Tensions are certainly at an all-time high, with the sudden scarcity of prey driving clans to hunt on one another’s territory. To claim land from one another. It seems like something Sootstar would have done—had done, she recalls, thinking of Highstones. Desperation drove the queen of the moorland to madness, and then it claimed Cicadastar after her; will it take another leader before winter is through?

The calico does not wait for the others to speak; she takes a step forward, eyes passing through the clearing below. "WindClan fares well thus far. The cold has sunken into our land, but our warriors remain fed and comfortable; WindClan is prepared to defend ourselves and our territory if necessary." There have been signs, small but notable, of encroachment upon their territory—but no trespassers have been caught. The surrounding clans are intelligent, at least; they will not show their thieving faces to WindClan’s full might. Scorchstar knows that her own clanmates are not innocent (her fiery gaze flickers to Sootspot in the crowd, to Pinkshine), but they had not acted on her command. She had also not punished them for breaking the warrior code, but it seems fruitless to do so when warriors have scented ShadowClan on the wrong side of the thunderpath.

"This month, WindClan welcomes several new apprentices. Our warrior Sootspot’s litter has reached six months of age—Heatherpaw, Nightpaw, and Bramblepaw have been apprenticed to Downyfur, Pinkshine, and Scorchstorm, respectively. Erminepaw has also left the nursery, and is being mentored by Featherspine. Finally, Beetlepaw has been apprenticed to Tigersting." Golden eyes shift between each of the cats named in turn, giving each of them a moment to bask in the acknowledgment before she continues on. "One of our apprentices, Viperpaw, was in need of a new mentor; Sootspot has been assigned to teach him the ways of the tunnels and train him to be a WindClan warrior." The pairing had been crafted, originally, to act as a burden for Sootspot and a way to temper Viperpaw, but it has turned out relatively well. Perhaps opposing personalities in mentor-apprentice pairings are not all bad.

Scorchstar takes a step back, now, settling to her haunches and wrapping her flame-patched tail around her paws to fend of the night’s chill. "That is all from WindClan."

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

• ooc: —
• 
• SCORCHSTAR ⋆⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺⋆ she/they, leader of windclan, tunneler
  ༄ small, slim flame-streaked calico with fiery golden eyes. cold and closed-off, ferociously protective of her clanmates.
  ༄ 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

​

​

 

[Orangestar]

Orangestar’s mind swirls with the knowledge of her sister’s death as she sits down atop the leaders’ rock, grief battling stoicism with tooth and claw for control of her countenance. The result is her characteristic scowl, but it is underscored by a troubled exhaustion only identifiable as weary. She thinks it likely that Robinheart shares the sentiment.

“SkyClan survives.” She begins once Scorchstar retreats, her rasp settling over the quiet cleaning like a blanket of snow. They do not thrive, but with a single exception their Clan would continue into colder moons.

“One of our warriors, Sweetnose, walks with StarClan now. Remind your hunters this moon of the sharpness of owl talons and the silence of their wings.” As she speaks, a benign realisation sharpens her stare- all of the leaders standing atop the stone at her side, Hazecloud included among them for this night, are less experienced than she.

“We are hungry, but we have not compromised the Code to feed our Clan.” Though she surveys the crowd as she speaks, Orangestar’s intent forms a sharpened point towards Flamestar. Finally, she insists upon her piece of good news:

“Daisydrop joins us tonight as a named warrior, having completed his assessment and silent vigil. Should you see him, extend your congratulations.” She can't quite find him in the crowd, but she'd caught sight of him sometime earlier. Orangestar nods in the general direction she'd thought the wide-eyed tom might have sat, and then to the congregation in general.

“That is all from SkyClan.”​

 

[FIGFEATHER]

Tensions are high this gathering. It got like this around last leaf-bare, too. It hardly takes scarce prey and the cold to get the clans to bicker, throw those grievances in the mix and they’re most certain too. Scorchstar and Orangestar’s announcements are tame though; save for the sharp look her leader gives Flamestar when mentioning SkyClan’s avoidance of breaking the code. She studies Flamestar cautiously, curious to see if she’d respond to the SkyClan leader’s jab.

As for good news, Daisydrop is announced as a new warrior of SkyClan to the five clans. ”Daisydrop! Daisydrop!” She cheers loud and proud, thunderous purrs rumble in her throat. A half-moon may have passed since his warrior ceremony but everyday Figfeather continues to celebrate her former apprentice’s success. What a fine warrior for the clan he’s become…

​

 

[hazecloud]

—————————————————————⊰✿⊱————————————————————
As her misty-furred namesake, Hazecloud took to the stones beside Lichenstars peers with her best attempt at stony stoicism. It isn't fun, coming here without her mate in these tensions. She felt exposed atop the cold rocky surface, feeling the chilly breeze bristle her fur. Cats of all corners shot daggers every which way, hungry hissing devouring any patience left.

Hazecloud looked down to the perch she normally took her place in, squinting as she dipped her thoughts into the next time she may find herself up here. Would she be blessed with nine lives, then? She would have someone else in her place, and she bit her tongue thinking who it would be.

Irritably, she remarked in frustration the loss of Iciclefang from her council. Not a viable option for anything other than a warrior fallen from her graces. Constantly tiding the game of catch-up with her fellow RiverClanner, atoning eternally for the sins of her youth. Ferngill was no better off having been compliant in it all. A bystander, allowing the code to be broken right before his eyes. Another false champion of their laws. What a waste.

Snakeblink was off on all accounts. She would rather seek out Pikesplash, at least he had the decorum to keep his misdeeds sorted discreetly.

Beefang? Her eyes narrow further, imagining herself beside the one-eyed molly. Hazecloud was all plush softness and hidden motives. Beefang was prickly, all teeth and claws ready to burst with whatever thought came to her head. Would she even want it, having watched what it did to her fathers? What it was doing now, to Lichenstar?

Eveningpaw may be old enough by the time that day arrived. She trusted her daughter to take after her well, but it still felt... wrong. Wrong to make her daughter watch both her mothers keel over and over, knowing that fate was waiting for her next. Why does anyone want to do this?

The thought had her snapping attention back to the Gathering. There was a long pause, Hazecloud realized, straightening her back and tilting her chin up.

"RiverClan has found great success this moon." She started proudly, ignoring the twist in her belly from the struggle with prey. Hopefully with sunningrocks returned their prey stocks will of no concern. "My daughter has earned her warrior name, and she greets you tonight as Twinkleflight! We also have more apprentices, prepared to fight off this early leaf-bare. Algaepaw, Redpaw, and Rivuletpaw!" She swept her gaze over the crowd to meet them with a smile.

"StarClan has given us their good graces, and RiverClan has seen sunningrocks returned to it's rightful place within our borders. Though it came with the unfortunate losses of our warriors; Lakemoon and Otterbite, we know they have received great honor among our ancestors for their noble fight." They had known the risks, Lichenstar had not even been exempt of them herself, but despite her words Hazecloud's voice still fell from it's original boastful song. Lakemoon had left her kits as orphans without both their mothers. And Otterbite... as much as he lived by his namesake, had been a tireless asset.

"There have also been some changes to Lichenstar's council recently. Iciclefang has..." Her eyes narrowed as she took a glimpse towards Flamestar, just for a moment. "Returned to her rank as a warrior to be closer to her kin. We are thankful for the contributions she has made to this council, serving both Smokestar and Lichenstar." It sounds robotic, the words falling from her maw as she danced around the broken laws that trailed behind her Clan recently. "That is all from RiverClan."

✿ ———— I'll be your regular mama ✿ ————— And I'll put that gun away

•  
• 
  
  
  Hazecloud
  —⊰⋅ Deputy of RiverClan
  —⊰⋅ She/Her
  "SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
  —⊰⋅ LH blue smoke with green eyes.
  

​

 

[Flamestar]

〔✦〕The cold wind ruffles her fur as she listens to the other leader's share their news. She had only nodded a greeting earlier tonight to Scorchstar. The other clans would find out soon enough what she was planning...tonight would not be that night. Regardless of how upset she was, Thunderclan was hurt and healing...she couldn't risk a fight tonight. The cold was digging its claws into all of the clans, but it was digging hardest into Thunderclan. She listened to the Scorchstar and Orangestar claim that their clans are fed and comfortable and surviving. The kittypet clan leader turns to give her a sharp glance, and she returns the gesture with a gaze as cold as the leaf-bare wind. She didn't enjoy breaking the code, but Orangestar's ally had driven her to do so.

She finds a sliver of pleasure in seeing Hazecloud standing in the leaders spot tonight. Lichenstar had gotten what she deserved. The fiery tabby allows the snake-hearted leader's deputy to speak first, if anything just to see what she had to say for herself. Would she mention how they ambushed outnumbered patrols at night? How they teamed up with Shadowclan to steal two pieces of territory? Would she mention how their beloved lead warrior had broken the code? She listens amusedly as Hazecloud boasts their victory, claiming that Starclan had been behind them claiming Sunningrocks. Behind her, her tail lashed irritatedly, but she held her tongue. Somehow.

Another glance is cast her way for the second time in a row. "Iciclefang has...returned to her rank as a warrior to be closer to her kin." The Thunderclan leader meets Hazecloud's gaze, giving her a look somehow colder than she had given Orangestar. Her maw begged to open, to retort back at the deputy, but she held her tongue. Ruining Riverclan's name would also ruin Stormywing's name. Stormywing had already suffered enough, she would not drag her name even further into the dirt tonight.

She had enough of listening. The leader glanced at Mirestar, then rose her voice to address the clans. "Despite the cold, Thunderclan continues to prosper. We have been blessed with three new apprentices this moon. Thrashpaw is being mentored by Antlerbreeze, Howlpaw is being mentored by Tigerwing, and Honeypaw is being mentored by Darktuft." Three new apprentices that had already had to experience battle. It was by the pure blessing alone that they had survived. "Starclan has also blessed us with a new Medicine Cat Apprentice. After graciously finishing out Moonbeam's training, Gentlestorm has taken Hopepaw on as his official apprentice." So much time had been wasted on the teaching of Riverclan's Medicine Cat. I know you meant well Howlingstar...I'm sorry.. Some cats couldn't be changed...leave it to Riverclan.

"What Hazecloud failed to acknowledge, was how they stole Sunningrocks from us. Riverclan and Shadowclan joined together and launched a dual attack. They ambushed us at night in two separate areas, claiming two pieces of our territory...In the battles, Campionsong and Barleysight were murdered, and there were others who almost suffered the same fate. They have joined Starclan as heroes for defending their clan. Battles that never should have been fought." Raccoonstripe, Squirrelpaw, Glowingpaw, Myrtlepaw, Mottledpaw...there were too many lying in Gentlestorm's den right now. Her tail lashed behind her, and she threw a glare in the direction of Shadowclan's leader, before landing one at Hazecloud. "Thunderclan will not allow our kits to go hungry. We will do what we must to ensure they are fed." A pause. "That is all from Thunderclan."

no damsel in distress ( dont need to save me ) //

• ooc.
  All IC opinions!!!
  
• 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, will start & finish fights
  ★★★★★★★★★
  
  ✦ “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.

​

 

[MIRESTAR]

Mirestar does not mind when Scorchstar speaks up first — nor do they mind when the other leaders follow her, each speaking for their own Clans, each picking out the highlights of the last moon. In truth, Mirestar does not mind whatever they are saying. Their gaze remains on a spot on the rock by their paws, ears angled forward. It is anyone's guess whether they are actually listening to the reports around them; it all feels unnecessary, enough so that they wonder what the point is in coming to the Gathering. Rarely does any Clan care much for the well-being of another. A night they normally enjoy turns sour with that realization.

They are being hypocritical, they know... self-awareness seldom irons out the flaws in one's self. ThunderClan's health had not been an important point when they had schemed with RiverClan. Now, two of their cats join StarClan with the other injured ones under Gentlestorm's care, and they desperately work towards keeping themselves fed, even if Flamestar only talks about the positives.

Still. Still, still: Mirestar had given them a choice even in the wake of Applejaw's death, and they had chosen violence. They will use that as cover for as long as they breathe.

Scorchstar and Orangestar remain curt with their reports. Mirestar feels a bit of solace in the good news Hazecloud shares. That will have to be enough.

"RiverClan and ShadowClan did indeed launch a dual attack — all for the sake of our own. My warriors will always take priority," they state simply, not finding the strength to actually look at Flamestar while doing so. She can preach all she wants; she, too, would have chosen this route if there had been no better option of keeping the Clan's most vulnerable safe and happy.

Finally, they look at the gathered cats below them. Despite the somber mood they've found themself in ever since Needledrift's death, they ought to remain presentable. Is that not what the Gathering is all about? Flaunting one's successes regardless of what else may have occurred? "We have lost Needledrift in the attack. Her loss weighs upon us heavily, but her sacrifice had not been in vain. ShadowClan is able to prosper despite the harshness of this early leaf-bare." Branchpaw is down there, somewhere. They imagine he is not too happy about uttering this name today, but Needledrift deserves one last acknowledgement.

"ShadowClan's council has turned small — too small, after Forestshade's decision to leave and carve out her own path. We welcome Snowlark and Scalejaw as our newest lead warriors." This, at least, is a point of pride. Usual mirth returns to those clear blue eyes when they mention those names. "Additionally, our nursery is full of new kittens. I look forward to all the new talent that has joined our ranks." They decide not to give names; the fear that some may target Ashenfall, Flintwish, Lilacfur or themself is too great. "That is all."
​