|
|
Post by Shell (PrairieWolf) on Jun 29, 2009 16:44:27 GMT -5
The night sky was clear, lit with the sickly yellow glow of streetlamps that made Silverpelt‘s stars look faint and faraway. The air was still and cool, the sweet scents of Newleaf could be caught faintly over the harsh stench of the city tar and asphalt. This late in the evening even the city became docile, the bustle and noise of daily life settling into a low nightly hum. Twolegs were few and far between and even their Monsters’ glaring eyes flashed only occasionally through the streets at this hour.
A small form sat beside one of the many lampposts, a copper she-cat groomed a forepaw calmly, a tongue rasping across pads and around dangerous claws. Her fur was turned a near gold color beneath the yellow light of the streetlamp that spilled around her. Her eyes were mere content slits and it may have seemed she was unaware of her surroundings. However, someone observant would notice how one ear flicked, twisting first down the street in one direction before twirling and pointing down the other way of the street.
Suddenly the cat’s yellow eyes flashed open as a single Monster roared past, buffeting her fur with a stinking wind before vanishing in the distance. The she-cat put the paw she was attending down onto the pavement and stood. She crept a few steps onto the street, pausing in front of a wide storm drain, and gave another attentive glance down the road. With a flick of her tail she bounded across the road and into the lower level of the car park. In the same instant several cats crept up through the storm drain and followed after her, hot on her heels, following the signal of the tail flick. She traveled swiftly up the spiral ramp of the car park, body close to one edge but moving with quick steps, seeming unworried of being spotted.
Finally reaching the top most level of the car park the copper she-cat slowed her pace, again giving her tail a flick to signal her cats to do as they pleased, and padded towards the center of the parking lot where the top branches of the pine tree peeked out from the concrete. She sat near the tree, not yet climbing into the branches, and gazed up at Silverpelt. Up at the top level most of the lights have burnt out, and with the city lights far below them Silverpelt’s stars were their brightest. After a few moments a large, black tom moved up to her and crouched at her side.
“We’re the first here, Copperstar,” he announced. An amused rumble escaped the tom’s throat. “As usual.”
“Of course, Ratfang,” Copperstar responded. “The other Clans are cowards when faced with the hard-ground of the twolegs They do not face what we do everyday. All cooped up in their tiny territories.”
“Fine by me,” Ratfang purred. “More ground for us to occupy without cats getting in our way.”
The dark colored tom glanced across the small assembly of Tunnelclan cats before settling his intense yellow sights on a blue-gray and black point cat. The smaller, skinny tom was near hairless. His large ears were constantly twisting, his short whiskers twitching endlessly. At the slightest noise he’d perk up and look in the sound’s direction with wide, baby-blue eyes. “Mousetail,” Ratfang barked out. “Relax for Starclan’s sake! You look like the night’s sky is going to swallow you up! Who ever heard of a Medicine Cat being so prey-jumpy.”
“I-I-I’m sorry, Ratfang... Sir…” The skittish tom had jerked his head in Ratfang’s direction when spoken to and hastily replied. Still, the tiny cat didn’t relax in the least. He seemed more agitated then was normal even for him. As if something more serious was crawling beneath his skin.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kitsune on Jun 29, 2009 23:07:32 GMT -5
Paws pounding in the same places her leader's did, a dark gray she-cat pulled up close to Copperstar and her deputy. The bright light of Silverpelt brought out the gleam in her own pelt - she had been hunting mere moments before the Tunnelclan warriors were summoned to begin their trek, and her fur still held a light misting of water. Shimmerpelt often lived up to her given name - when not fresh out of water, she kept herself exceptionally well groomed. She paused to give her shoulder a quick lick, glancing about with her sharp yellow-green eyes.
Shimmerpelt bared her teeth briefly as Ratfang called out the jumpy, nearly fur-bare medicine cat. Her whiskers twitched a little, but her moon was hard to read, as usual because it was so multi-layered. She was amused by Mousetail's usual skittish reactions, but at the same time, she felt aggravated by the embarrassment he would bring to Tunnelclan should another clan happen upon them as he jumped about. She flicked her tail, looking back to Copperstar and Ratfang.
"The other clans will never hope to match our skills with their territories so small and their warriors so contained," she said, proud tone evident, as always, in her voice.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dawny on Jun 30, 2009 3:20:28 GMT -5
Slim body moving swiftly through the cool, Newleaf night, a tortoiseshell she-cat followed her Clanmates, mismatched eyes filled with excitement. Reaching the top of Silverview, she peered up at the starry sky. A smile creased her muzzle, the bright, full moon reflected in her eyes. She loved these gatherings, being able to meet and speak with the cats from other Clans. Not to mention seeing her fellow Moonguards who she'd be living with at Moonecho for the next moon soon.
Dawnbreak's mismatched gaze returned to her Clanmates as Ratfang snapped at poor Mousetail, and she cast a sharp glare towards the tom. Yeah, ok, so Mousetail was jumpy, but what cat wouldn't be if they had no fur, too? Geeze, Ratfang was just...so snide when it came to TunnelClan being seen as 'the best'. Camp life was too closed in for the TunnelClan Moonguard, she itched to be away from so many rules and boundaries once again.
Padding over to Mousetail, she playfully shouldered him, her warm, ginger-and-black-banded pelt brushing his exposed skin. "Don't worry 'bout ol' Ratfang, I think a rat must of bitten his tail this morning." she purred to the Medicine Cat, grinning at him and flicking her tail towards the dark tom. Really, she was just being a tease, like always.
|
|
|
|
Post by Wildheart on Jul 2, 2009 5:16:19 GMT -5
Angelflight was a few pawlengths behind the rest, keeping an eye on his surroundings. The lean young red tabby and white was like a beacon in the moonlight, the beams bathing him into silver-white and palest red hues.
Lithe and graceful, he seemed to tread on his tiptoes, alert with his long tail swishing behind him. He glanced towards Ratfang when he snapped at the medicine cat and his well-shaped ears flattened slightly. But he kept out of it, padding off to the edge of the parking lot and leaped easily onto the rail there. "Here comes Crowclan!" He called to his clanmates, peering down at the shadows approaching the structure.
((OOC| Hope it's ok for him to see Crowclan? I know Rootclan was last, but wasn't sure of Crowclan or Hillclan were next!))
|
|
|
|
Post by Shell (PrairieWolf) on Jul 2, 2009 15:24:46 GMT -5
((lol Well, actually I had planned on Hillclan arriving next. But I suppose Crowclan would be better. Since their camp would probably be closer and they’d have less hills of garbage to climb over. :-P So Crowclan will be arriving now. But for Hillclan let me post them before anyone sees them.
Also, I hope you all don‘t mind my ramblings between my characters making my post entirely too long… I think I‘m having a little too much fun with this…))
Copperstar gave a single, quick nod. “Of course not, Shimmerpelt. But not just because we have such a wide spread of territory. We are cats that look to the future. Not fools that cling to that which has long past.”
Ratfang nodded. “My grandmother often told me tales that her mother’s mother spoke of. The days when the two-leg hardground was once a forest much like Rootclan’s territory. How it was Tunnelclan that first settled and persuaded the other clans to stay when the forest was destroyed.” A sudden scuffing sound escaped the tom’s throat. “Our ancestors should have let them leave.”
Copperstar shook her head, obviously disagreeing with her Deputy. “Because we are the most adaptable, Ratfang, is why Tunnelclan helped the others back then, I’m sure. In that time the four clans had to serve one another, help each other. Tunnelclan learned skills from the other clans that we adapted as our own and use to this day.” Her yellow eyes shift from Ratfang to Shimmerpelt. “Remember, my Warrior. Just because another cat maybe inferior does not mean you can not learn something from them. If you know this… then it will keep you wise and strong.”
Mousetail nearly leapt out of his skin when he felt fur brush against him. However, as soon as he realized it was Dawnbreak he relaxed into the comfort of a warm furred body against his hairless side. He shivered against the cool night and huddled ever closer to her to soak up as much heat as he possibly could. “I’m… I’m not really worried ‘bout Ratfang,” he murmured quietly to her. Though his tone was shaky and nervous there was a hint of gratitude towards her offered comfort. “Let me know if you see the other Medicine Cat’s before I do, though… I… I need to talk to them…”
Mousetail quickly perked up, large ears thrusting forward as Angelflight announced the arrival of Crowclan, a hint of hope of seeing another Medicine Cat shining in his baby-blue eyes. Copperstar and Ratfang fell silent and looked up as well as they awaited Crowclan to join them.
+++
Below the city streets were quiet and still. Hardly a wind blew, only the far distance held the sounds of continued city life. The streetlamps continued to glow with their unnatural sickly-yellow light, reaching towards the dark and fading as they reached the shadows of alleyways. Within the darkness of one of the alleys a shadow stirred and was still again. For several heart beats there was no more disturbances in the still night. Then there was another faint movement before several blinking, tiny lights appeared at the mouth of the alley. Several, eerie, glaring eyes peered out from the depths, searching and curious.
A sudden silver flash escaped the darkness and slipped behind a wilting brown box near the low wall of the car park. Another few heart beats before the sleek figure crept back out from the box. A silver, black spotted she-cat paused, gazing across the city scene with keen, watchful yellow eyes. With a quick flick of her tail she turned, bounding over the low rise, and swiftly stalked towards the nearest of the three stairs. In the same instant that the silver cat’s tail moved the several light reflective eyes grew into full body cats that dashed through the alley and towards the car park.
It did not take long for the swift cats of Crowclan to scale the stairs and reach the top level to Silverview. As soon as the silver she-cat set paw on the top concrete layer of the car park she gave another flick of her tail for her Clan to spread out and do their thing. Flanked by a black tom, his face mangled by old scars, his ears twisted and shriveled, the she-cat approached the small gathering of Tunnelclans Leader, Deputy, and Warrior.
“Copperstar, Ratfang, greetings,” the silver she-cat greeted the two courteously, her features however are sterile. Neither friendly nor hostile.
“Hello, Silverstar, Crowfoot,” Copperstar greeted with the same monotone. “How is prey running?”
“Very well,” Silverstar responded with brief words.
Crowfoot, the black deputy of Silverstar’s, glanced between his Leader and the Tunnelclan cats before shrugging his narrow, though muscular, shoulders. “Oh, such polite, dainty manners we all have.” Flicking an ear at Ratfang, whiskers twitching with amusement, he continued. “We had such a brilliant scuffle last quarter moon! How is your shoulder there, Ratfang?”
Ratfang seemed to bristle slightly but he stayed where he crouched by Copperstar’s side. “It’s fine,” he answered curtly.
“Have you met Shimmerpelt, Silverstar?” Copperstar put in, a glow of seriousness lit in her eyes, a quiet challenge in her tone. “She is one of our finest young warriors. Ready to take up her place amongst our elder warriors to strengthen Tunnelclan‘s ranks. Fine specimen for a warrior, don‘t you think?”
Silverstar paused to look Shimmerpelt over, her scrutinizing gaze was more of one sizing up a possible enemy rather then appraising the quality of a fellow warrior. “Quite.”
An old gray she-cat sat rather far away from the majority of gathered cats. She quietly groomed a forepaw beneath the shadow of the car park railing, eyes contently closed. Ghosteye waited patiently where she was for the call that would start the gathering.
|
|
|
|
Post by Wildheart on Jul 2, 2009 18:51:30 GMT -5
A step behind his leader and sister and Crowfoot was the marble-pelted tom Streamfur. He was like liquid silver in this light, his crystal blue eyes the only thing about him retaining hint of colour. Burly shoulders flexed powerfully as he bounded up the stairs, then settled not far from Silverstar. He was not part of the inner circle of leaders and deputies, but he had always kept a sharp on on Silverstar - not that his sister was incapable of looking after herself and the entire clan with her. No greeting was offered to any Tunnelclan cats; Streamfur was stoic and on-duty even during times of truce.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kitsune on Jul 2, 2009 23:03:32 GMT -5
Shimmerpelt curled her tail around her front paws as she sat near her leader and deputy. She listened with her quiet attentiveness as another exchange passed between the she-cat and tom - she may have agreed more with the deputy in the conversation, but she gave no indication to her personal feelings. She gave a light flick of her ears to signal her intake of Copperstar's words - but how much she truly heeded them was any cat's guess.
When Crowclan arrived, Shimmerpelt was once more on her paws. She did not look tense, but her ears and tail showed her as alert. She remained still as a statue as pleasantries - and banter - passed between cats of both clans. When Copperstar turned toward her, however, she straightened a little more, shoulders out and head lifted proudly. She gave Silverstar a nod of respect, but similarly appraised the Crowclan leader as a potential opponent.
Bounding close behind any cat who didn't turn and snap at her, Whisperpaw could barely believe where her paws were taking her. A gathering, finally! The newly apprenticed cat tried not to look overwhelmed - but found that to be a difficult feat. The undersized apprentice had waited three moons longer than normal to become an apprentice - she was glad she hadn't had to wait another three moons to make it to a gathering.
Stay close to the clan cats was all the advice her mentor had left her with, and she stuck to it - unusual for the precocious cat, but she didn't want to do something stupid on her first outing like this. She remained near Steamfur at first, wide eyes taking in everything.
(I hope this works with Whisperpaw - I figured if any mentor would skip going to his apprentice's first gathering, it'd probably be Shardclaw. >D If not, though, I can just have Zephyrfoot as my Crowclan representative.)
Bringing up the rear of the group of Crowclan cats was Zephyrfoot. The gray-pawed tom did not like having the obligation of attending the gatherings. Given the choice, the Moonguard would have likely spent all his time guarding Moonecho. He was not given the choice, however, and so the reserved tom found himself once more among the crowd of cats that overtook the parking garage.
Glancing about, he picked his way to an area near enough to hear the leaders, but far enough away that no cats had yet bothered to congregate their conversations anywhere near him.
|
|
|
|
Post by Wildheart on Jul 3, 2009 1:02:22 GMT -5
((OOC| I'm fine with Whisperpaw being there, Shardclaw definitely wouldn't bother himself, and Streamfur is the type to keep an eye in Shardclaw's place.))
Streamfur turned to his brother's apprentice and gave a small smile at her obvious excitement. He hoped the next gathering Shardclaw might bother himself to come, but for now he decided to keep an eye on Whisperpaw.
"Those cats over there are from Tunnelclan. See the ticked tabby, that's Copperstar, and the big black one beside her is Ratfang, the deputy." He told her quietly, pointing with his tail to each cat.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dawny on Jul 3, 2009 5:24:52 GMT -5
Padding intently after the Warriors and other Apprentice of CrowClan, a young tom struggled to keep up in his own personal darkness, though he'd refused any help offered. The brown tabby's sigh was almost relieved as he reached Silverview, paws comfortable on the flat surface.
The tom stopped suddenly, taking a step back as a soft breeze washed the scent of other, strange cats over him. This was a lot for the blind apprentice to take in. Ears twitching, he realised he'd lost track of Streamfur, his mentor. Pelt ruffling nervously, he turned his head this-way-and-that, trying to scent out his mentor. But all the mixing scents of his first gathering was much too confusing for the young tom, and the older tom's scent was lost.
Suddenly unsure of moving forward without his mentor near, Snakepaw shuffled uncomfortably. I probably look like a fool right now. he thought miserably, wishing his sister was here with him.
~
Dawnbreak smiled at the TunnelClan Medicine Cat as he huddled closer to her, sitting beside him patiently. She looked towards the path up to Silverview as her brother called out CrowClan's arrival, scanning the other Clan as they arrived. "Hey, Ghosteye!" she called to the CrowClan Medicine Cat, waving her tail in greeting and lightly nudging Mousetail.
Another familiar figure caught her mismatched gaze, and she beamed at the sight of her fellow Moonguard. "Zephryfoot! Get your tail over here, you ol' mouse-brain, I haven't seen you in a moon!" she teased the tom, grinning at him and flicking her right ear.
|
|
|
|
Post by Shell (PrairieWolf) on Jul 3, 2009 13:54:37 GMT -5
Ghosteye’s eyes flew open as her name was called out, both the brilliant orange eye and the milky white blind eye turned in Dawnbreak and Mousetail’s direction. Those mismatched eyes then narrowed at the two, an obvious expression of annoyance for being called to from half across Silverview. She didn’t budge from where she sat, instead the tip of her tail began to flick back and forth in short, agitated jerks, waiting to be approached rather then answering the call.
Mousetail flinched as Dawnbreak shouted to Ghosteye, knowing the old medicine she-cat would not have appreciated the loud acknowledgement that would attract attention to her. Taking a deep breath he looked up to his clanmate. “Th-thanks, Dawnbreak… I’ll… I’ll be fine. You can go talk to… to your friend.” He glanced towards Zephryfoot before continuing. “I’m… I’m going to talk to Ghosteye…” Nodding another short thank you he stalked towards his fellow Medicine cat.
+++
Movement from the rooftop next to Silverview caught the eye of Silverstar. As the Crowclan leader looked away from Shimmerpelt Copperstar followed her gaze to the group of cats that began to cross the walkway from the rooftop garden of the shopping center towards them.
A spotted tom lead his band of cats towards the gathering, balancing on the concrete railing where he could have a clear view of his surroundings, confident and seeming undaunted by the sheer drop below him. Beside him, on the walkway itself, was a smaller dark brown tom carefully guiding a third cat. The third tom was a cream and white, looking healthy but for the fact he lacked any eyes at all, fur having grown over the eyeless sockets.
The tom hopped off the railing as he reached Silverview, soft yellow eyes scanning the gathering of cats before landing on the apprentice Snakepaw. Curiosity and sympathy lit the old tom’s eyes, his calculating, contemplative gaze studying the younger cat. Glancing back at the old cream and white tom the spotted male hesitated as he considered, finally his ear gave a flick as he made a decision.
“Rubbishclaw,” the spotted tom rumbled, turning his attention to the brown cat. “Tell the other leaders I will be right with them.” Without waiting an answer the spotted cat moved towards Snakepaw.
“You look rather lost, young cat,” the spotted tom purred as he reached Snakepaw. Gaze wandering over Snakepaw’s face, noticing the near pupiless eyes which furthered the tom’s suspicions about the apprentice.
“Of course, Bronzestar,“ Rubbishclaw had grumbled in annoyance as the spotted tom took off before turning to look at the eyeless cat at his side.
“I’ll be fine,” the blind, cream tom said suddenly, his voice a faint whispering and crackled with something between age and a long past fever. “Now that we’re at Silvervew. You go on.”
Rubbishclaw nodded in answer, “Alright, Coldnose. But don’t you go on falling off Silverview, for Starclan‘s sake. Else Bronzestar will have my hide.”
A sneeze of laughter escaped the blind tom. “I’ll be fine,” Coldnose repeated. Then in a louder tone, barely above the initial whisper and seeming ever the more forced through his throat, “Foxtail! Foxtail, my friend, where are you?”
Shaking his head in amusement Rubbishclaw took off and headed for the grouping of Leaders and Deputies. Reaching them Rubbishclaw dipped his head to Copperstar and Silverstar. “Ladies, Bronzestar will be with you in just a moment. I do apologize.”
“You should,” Copperstar rumbled in annoyance. “He is almost as bad as Goldstar. Gallivanting around with trifle matters when there’s more important things to be taken care of.”
|
|
|
|
Post by Dawny on Jul 3, 2009 16:33:01 GMT -5
The young tom flinched slightly as the HillClan cats arrived, adding their scent to the already confusing one around him. He was just getting himself into more trouble standing here!
He jumped slightly as a stranger spoke to him, features turning towards the older tom. "U-uh um...Yes...I-I can't find my mentor." he confided quietly, shuffling uncomfortably.
~
Icestorm peered around the gathering Clans, mismatched eyes catching the light of Silverpelt. The white she-cat smiled, watching the three Clans mingle, and watching the TunnelClan cats parade around as though they owned the place. Scoffing quietly, she padded a little closer to the Leaders and Deputies, glancing back at her own Leader as he spoke with a lost CrowClan apprentice.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kitsune on Jul 4, 2009 3:57:02 GMT -5
Whisperpaw nodded as she studied the Tunnelclan cats intently. She repeated the names of the leader and deputy several times before scanning the other cars. She knew there was another set of names she should probably know. "Medicine cats?" she asked in her curt way - she had learned to use as few words as possible, her voice cracking and barely audible as she spoke the pair of words.
If she was stung by the fact that her mentor had chosen not to accompany her on her first gathering - and she definitely was - she made no notion of such, focused on intent study.
Zephyrfoot flicked his tail as he heard Dawnbreak call out to him. The reserved tom paused for a few moments, then slowly meandered toward the she-cat, his fellow Moonguard. If there was one thing he did not show at gatherings, it was his speed. He gave Dawnbreak a brief nod as he sat down near her, eyes on the Tunnelclan medicine cat for a few moments as he made his way to another medicine cat.
Ah, how life went when one was not a warrior.
An exceptionally furry tail brushed over Coldnose's shoulder. "Right here," came a soft, melodic voice. Foxtail pressed her nose into the head medicine cat's side, tail never leaving him. "Did you think you could be rid of me for more than a few heartbeats?"
The red medicine cat had indeed fallen behind during the trek. She felt something cold and dark as they made their journey - cold, dark, and familiar. It was rare that the shadows haunted Foxtail more than once in a moon - but she had caught sight of her kithood terror twice on the journey alone, and once just before they began their venture.
She had, of course, said nothing.
"Come, my friend. Ghosteye and Mousetail are here already." The she-cat began to pad toward the two other medicine cats, tail draped across Coldnose's shoulders. It was as much a comfort to her as she hoped it was a comfort to him - the triple sightings of the shadows had left the Hillclan medicine cat shaken, no matter how she tried to hide it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Wildheart on Jul 5, 2009 8:12:00 GMT -5
Walking together came a exceptionally large red tom, his long fur making him look even bigger. No-nonsense and gruff, he strode evenly with his clan, dwarfing the smaller cat at his side, though she was almost level with him in height. Much slimmer than she was, Stormsoul was longhaired too, with a thick creamy-white base coat and dark pointed markings. They were old friends, at ease enough in one another's company that they had no need of speech. They split up when they reached Silverview with a shared nod. Wolverineclaw, the red tom, headed for his fellow Moonguards and passed a similar nod to them, but with less meaning, merely a simple greeting behind it.
Streamfur gestured to Whisperpaw to come with him, then headed for Bronzestar and Snakepaw. He flicked his tail lightly against Snakepaw's shoulder, telling him where he was without words. "My fault, I'm afraid. Greetings, Bronzestar." Having grown up with leaders in the family, he didn't appear at all on guard or tense when speaking to the Hillclan leader now. He was a quietly confident tom, both knowing and not stepping over his bounds.
((OOC| The Moonguards whom are here... are they going out to the Moonecho after this Gathering, or coming back from it? If they're with the clan they must be going to it after, right?))
|
|
|
|
Post by Dawny on Jul 5, 2009 8:38:08 GMT -5
Dawnbreak butted Zephrylight's shoulder as he joined her, "Why so quiet? C'mon, Zephrylight, what's happened with you the past moon?" she insisted, getting to her paws and walking around the tom before sitting down again. The tortie she-cat got much too excited and fidgety at times like this.
As Wolverineclaw left Stormsoul, Dawnbreak bounded to her paws, butting the big tom's shoulder in greeting. The black-and-ginger she-cat did seem to be the most animated of the assembled Moonguards. "What about you, Wolverineclaw? How's life treatin' ya'?"
OOC: Just going I'm guessing oxo
IC:
Snakepaw jumped slightly as a tail touched his shoulder, and he turned his head to breath in the fresh, strong scent of his mentor. With the older cat close, the brown tabby relaxed, letting his tense shoulders slump. "Thank you." he murmured quietly to Bronzestar, dipping his head politely to the leader.
|
|
|
|
Post by Shell (PrairieWolf) on Jul 8, 2009 18:38:45 GMT -5
A purr vibrated from the old tom’s throat, a hint of pride in his aged tone for his former apprentice. “You’re a good she-cat, Foxtail.” Coldnose followed confidently with the red she-cat’s guidance knowing he would not loose his footing with her by his side
Ghosteye and Mousetail were already murmuring in hushed tones, their voices grave. As Coldnose and Foxtail neared the gray she-cat, Ghosteye, lifted her head.
“Good, you’re here,” Ghosteye greeted them unceremoniously. “I suspect you received it too, Coldnose?”
The old cream furred and eyeless tom gave a single nod, already knowing what she spoke of without an explanation. “ I have. And I have already spoke with Bronzestar to ensure we can speak before the gathering breaks up.”
“Good,” the she-cat answered. Ghosteye turned her one good eye on Foxtail. “It is good to see you again. How is life as a Medicine Cat treating you?”
Bronzestar opened his mouth to speak but paused as Streamfur approached. The spotted tom gave a gentle nod to Streamfur before finally speaking. “Greetings… Streamfur, wasn’t it? Silverstar’s brother?” After greeting the tom he turned his sights back upon the young apprentice, Snakepaw. “You are welcome.”
“I am a little surprised, however.” He said, again eyes rise to the adult cat, Stramfur. “He said he had a mentor.” A hint of curiosity lingered in his gaze. “Even with his… disability?”
+++
Several shadows hugged the walls below the car park. Feline bodies crouched low and hurrying along with quickened paces. Every tense body suggested they were not familiar with the scene despite the fact many of them have taken this route before. At the head of Rootclan a large, fluffy tom kept his cats on the move. Pausing only to take quick glances around to ensure no danger lurked near by. Without hesitation the large male slipped into an ally and leapt onto a fire escape. With his cats hot on his heels he scaled the side of the car park without slowing down until he reached the top.
Finally reaching Silverview several of Rootclan relax. A few taking a moment to quickly smooth out their ruffled fur, Goldstar and his deputy, Rootpelt, amongst them. Sunfeather and Dreamguard seemed less disturbed then the rest of their Clan. Both having traveled from their forest like territory more often then the others.
Once he and his deputy were finished making themselves presentable Goldstar lead Rootpelt further onto Silverview. Pausing as he spotted Bronzestar the fluffy male then changed his direction to go and great his fellow Leader.
Sunfeather did not hesitate when she reached Silverview. Giving a quick look around before catching sight of the gathering of Medicine Cats she quickly made her way over to them.
The pure white tom Dreamguard paused at the opening that lead to the fire escape. Taking the moment to sit and observe all who had arrived at the Gathering. He lifted a single paw and groomed the pads absently as he scanned the sea of cats.
((The Moonguards would be going to the Moonecho since they arrived with their Clans. Also, I been thinking… If all the Moonguards (those coming and going) meet together at the Gathering then that would leave the Moonecho temporarily unguarded. I suppose it’s fine. But perhaps, instead, only two of those currently guarding would come to the gathering to relay their news to the Clans and two stay behind. Then when the four refreshed Moonguards finally arrive after the Gathering then the last two at the Moonecho can return home. What do you think?
And sorry this took so long. Work‘s been crazy. And tiring. Heh.))
|
|
|
|
Post by Dawny on Jul 9, 2009 4:05:34 GMT -5
Snakepaw's timidness left him at Bronzestar's statement, and his ears stood erect with the indecency of the older tom's comment. "Just because I'm blind doesn't mean I can't fight or hunt! My nose and ears work perfectly fine!" he hissed. This is what bugged him about being blind - everyone elses' expectation that he couldn't be a warrior someday because of it. He would be! He'd make his Clan proud, despite the harsh comments and questions.
~
Limping behind her fellow RootClanners, a creamy she-cat stretched as she reached Silverview. Twisting around, her clear blue eyes quickly flicked over her stiff and twisted back leg - the paw of which rubbed uncomfortably against her stomach, though the she-cat was used to it by now. The joints in the long since broken limb were sore and chaffing after the long journey, but other than that everything seemed in order.
Returning her gaze to the gathering, Dragonmoon scanned the area, searching for the familiar pelts of other Medicine Cats and their apprentices. Sighting them, the Head Medicine Cat Apprentice of RootClan limped over, dipping her head in greeting to the other Medicine Cats. "Good to see you all here, safe and well I presume?" she purred, laying down stiffly beside Sunfeather on her good side - the one without the twisted limb.
|
|
|
|
Post by Wildheart on Jul 9, 2009 20:19:11 GMT -5
Streamfur tilted his head in a slight nod. "Yes, that's me." He glanced to Snakepaw and rested his tailtip on the young tom's shoulder, a quiet warning to keep his temper in check. "Snakepaw is my apprentice. Why not - you have a blind medicine cat, Bronzestar." He pointed out, calm and collected as ever. Padding behind her brother came the odd-eyed white Opaleye, ears perked and tail high at the prospect of a Gathering. She paused beside her brother, Dreamguard, easily as tall as he was. Even in the glow from the streetlamps, her short, silky fur could easily be seen to be in perfect condition. She brushed her cheek against Dreamguard's shoulder, knowing all too soon they'd be saying goodbye for the following moon. She set off confidently into the horde of cats, nodding greetings and glancing over faces as she did so. She knew now everyone was here, they'd soon be starting. ((OOC| Sounds good to me, Shellness  ) |
|
|
|
Post by Kitsune on Jul 10, 2009 16:21:47 GMT -5
Despite his quiet exterior, Zephyrfoot was a little fidgety as well - he wanted to return to his running, and he paced as slowly as he could. He returned Wolverineclaw's nod - and desperately hoped the new Moonguard could take some of Dawnbreak's attention off him.
"Prey is running well," he replied in a guarded tone, casting his eyes down.
Whisperpaw followed dutifully after Steamfur, still looking about. As the warrior reassured his apprentice of his location by tapping his tail against the blind cat. She fought back a sudden urge to tap him on one shoulder with her tail, then prod his other side with a paw before running off, but she knew she ought to save that for a location that wasn't a gathering - they had to appear at their strongest here, and teasing her fellow apprentice wasn't going to help.
Foxtail gave Ghosteye a nod, saying nothing of the mysterious exchange between her past mentor and Crowclan's head medicine cat. "Very well, thank you. I find a new joy in it every day."
She gave a wave of her fluffy tail as Sunfeather approached them, letting out a quiet purr. "Good evening, Sunfeather. How is the prey running?"
One cat definitely looked like he'd rather be anywhere else. Gray-speckled, white fur fluffed out, Pebblespot shook himself out. "I hate that run. Too much stone, not enough dirt," he grumbled, though he couldn't lose the good-natured tone in his voice. He was still many, many seasons from being an elder, but he sounded much like one. The sturdy warrior gave his shoulder a few licks.
|
|
|
|
Post by Shell (PrairieWolf) on Jul 13, 2009 13:25:40 GMT -5
Mousetail shifted his weight nervously as Dragonmoon spoke. “Well - perhaps for now… Safe - I wouldn’t say…“ As soon as the hairless medicine cat spoke Ghosteye shot him a cold glare which made him tremble under her gaze. A cool breeze blew across the open parking lot and the small tom shivered ever the more strongly.
Sunfeather heaved a sigh before moving closer to the Tunnelclan cat, pressing her fluffy warm fur against the skin of the scrawny male. “You should not let yourself be shaken up by this, Mousetail. As the interpreters we should be strong for our clans,” she told him calmly before looking towards Foxtail, offering the other red she-cat a friendly expression. “Very well. Rootclan territory is always abundant at this season.”
-
Dreamguard gave the top of Opeleye’s head an affectionate lick before she took off farther into the gathering. Standing again he gave himself a quick shake and waded into the crowd himself. Spotting the gathering of his fellow Moonguards he picked up the pace to join them. “Hello! Wolverineclaw, Dawnbreak.” He paused to glance towards Zephyrfoot. He offered a twitch of his whiskers in amusement. “Itching to go as always, I see, “ He purred to the black Crowclan tom. “Good to see you three.”
-
Goldstar and Rootpelt reached the small group just in time to hear Snakepaw‘s outburst. In that instant Rootpelt’s neck fur bristled in disgust. “You disrespectful little kit,” she snapped angrily. “If that was my apprentice I‘d have clawed his backend! Is this how Crowclan teach their young? To hiss at Leaders? Forget his eyes, with manners like that he‘d make a terrible warrior.”
Bronzestar glanced behind him as the two Rootclan cats arrived. “It is quite alright, Rootpelt,” he assured the she-cat, “Calm down.” He gave a courteous nod to Goldstar before looking back to Streamfur. “There are many differences between a Medicine Cat’s duties and a Warrior’s.”
Goldstar listened curiously to what the other cats were saying but as soon as Bronzestar was done talking the Rootclan leader gave the Hillclan leader’s side a rather playful whack with his fluffy tail. “Sorry to interrupt, you old furball. But shouldn’t we go meet with the others before ol’ Copperstar lays an egg?” Even before he finished his Deputy, Rootpelt was giving the orange tom a scolding glare for the way he was talking, resembling that of which a mother cat gives her misbehaving kits. He was messing with her for when she snapped at Snakepaw. Of course, Goldstar promptly gave her a flashing smile as if he was innocent of any such thing.
Bronzestar’s ear gives a flick in quiet amusement to Goldstar’s antics. He slowly stands as he replies. “Yes, perhaps we should.” He gives a slight nod to Streamfur then looks down at Snakepaw, speaking in unchanged tones. “I look forward to hear of your progress. Good hunting to you both.”
-
Goldstar lead the way to where the two she-cat leaders and company waited. The two toms nodded their greetings respectfully and received the same from the she-cats.
“Well then, we’re all here,” Bronzestar spoke up. “Shall we start?”
“The returning Moonguards are late,” Silverstar observed.
“Probably just ran into some trouble on their way here,” Goldstar mused. “The hard ground is full of troubles. We’ll start without them.”
Copperstar gave a quick nod in agreement and leapt into the branches of the pine tree. Taking a breath she yowled into the night, signaling for silence and everyone to gather around.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dawny on Jul 14, 2009 5:17:16 GMT -5
Dragonmoon glanced towards Ghosteye, frowning slightly. Did she really need to frighten the scared tom even more? "Our Clans have faced and survived great hardships before; as they will again. All we can do is help them to the best of our abilities." she stated, twisting to lick her twisted back leg.
She glanced towards the tree as Copperstar yowled, green eyes blinking once. "Shall we move closer?" she inquired, before heaving herself to her three paws and limping closer to the tree without waiting for an answer. She, for one, wanted to hear what the Leaders had to say.
Laying down once again, she peered up at Silverpelt. Watch over us, StarClan, your guidance is greatly needed in challenging times.
~
Dawnbreak grinned at Dreamguard as she had the others, rocking back on her hind legs and batting at him playfully. "These two are being sourpusses!" she teased. Then stopped abruptly, looking at the leaders.
~
Snakepaw jumped as Rootpelt suddenly snapped at him, brown tabby pelt bristling angrily. Though, unwilling to embarrass himself, his mentor, and his Clan any more than he already had, he clamped his jaws shut. Sightless eyes starring ahead of him, the young tom fought back the emotions that welled up. He shouldn't of came without Squirrelpaw.
Scoffing silently as the Leaders and deputy left, the young tom turned away from his mentor, padding blindly until he bumped into the low rock wall that surrounded Silverview. There he sat, shoulders hunched, head down and tail curled around his paws. He was so sick of the snide comments and jokes about his sight and his reaction to comments about it, it was making him feel sad and sick. Huh, I'm surprised Whisperpaw didn't pull any of her usual jokes.
~
Icefur looked up as Copperstar yowled the start of the Gathering, her mismatched-eyes catching the moonlight. Stretching, she moved closer to the tree, laying down once she found a good spot.
|
|
)