Gathering XI

[Marrowbone]

"You know, sometimes I think these witless little kits will never get the message." Crossing his forelegs in front of him, Clopar's toes banged rhythmically on the wood underfoot. His eyes were narrowed and his expression cross, ears back and twitching.
"Mm-hm, yeah, sure." Deck, another Circuit cat, sat nearby, shuffling through a hessian bag full of brightly-colored sticks and orbs and not paying attention to the leaders grumping.
"If they ignore me again, I give up. Let the idiots die."
The light came from a small knot above, vague, blue light from the stars. Clopar's fur glowed in the dimness, making his mad eyes stand out. Where they hid was a hollow log, plugged up at one end, the other end covered with a grass-colored cloth. From the outside the log looked perfectly innocent, you'd never be able to tell a drape hid the two Circuit cats from view.
"Mumble mumble... And they're late, too. And they stink. And they're ugly. And they ha-Mumble mumble..."
Deck rolled her eyes. For such a stupid-looking cat, he sure was stupid. Not to mention a whiny primma donna. "Look, shut up or they'll hear us. There are cats walking around the island."

Scythestar paused at the bridge that connected them to the island, his chosen cats behind him. He had acted as Silverstar's proxy before but this time he was the head, and acted as the Clan's permanent head. It was a nice feeling, a mix between pride, happiness, sadness and anxiety. DuskClan had ignored what happened with the rogues, and he'd be answering for it with the other Clans.
But wait, what business was it of theirs? So what if he hadn't taken his cats to help? He wasn't the babysitter. If the other Clans had a problem with it, maybe they should be reminded of the warrior code.
The thought made him smirk, stand tall and puff out his chest. He was a nice cat, but this friendliness between Clans needed to be halted. And he'd be the one to do it.
So for the first time ever since Silverstar's death, he led DuskClan with confidence in his step.

[*Sinister*Dreams*]

xx.Goldstar

The air was humid with the firm grasp spring had on all of the Clans. The foliage around deep golden paws were glossy with the endless amounts of rain that covered the forest in a refreshing sense. Though somewhat too refreshing. Yet the feline welcomed the water with an open heart; it was the best thing that could become of the territory. The one reason, well mostly, as to why the pale orange feline was there really. Liquid pools of golden ops scanned the area. Goldstar was not alone. For the moment at least. Behind him ran members of his clan, Eaglewing, Nudgewing, Havoccrypt, Aceslash, Fogberry, Lovespell, Loganpaw, Depthvision, Treepaw, Skypaw, Nospeak, Mumblemouth, and Floragaze.

Silky furred tail slapped tentatively at the moisture-filled air as Goldstar padded forward. Finely toned muscles flexed beneath his glossy fur as the Pewterlan leader headed toward a lush patch of grass to meet with the other leaders. Audits flicked with the thoughts that swam through Goldstar's mind, mostly focused on the upcoming events. PewterClan had returned, and the feline was more than ready to fight back for the old lands, if he needed. Oh, how he had missed gliding over the stone of PewterClan, to feel the cooling breeze caress his skin through silky fur. But whats more, to see his Clan restored to its former home and glory, it was a wondrous feeling. If anything just to see the old camp again. And with the bountiful amounts of rain, the terra was sure to regrow swifter than anticipated.

Walking with purpose towards Scythebark, he dipped his head to the DuskClan deputy in greeting.

"Welcome. I trust all is well in DuskClan?"
A flash of worry as he noticed Silverstar's absence was replaced by the glance at Scythebarks face. A shimmer of anger threatened reprive from Goldstar's words. DuskClan didn't stop the invasion...And Scythebark still sat smugly about it...

[HoneyStar]

HoneyStar's sleek white-patched form bounded into the clearing shortly behind GoldStar. She appeared to be in an unusually cheerful mood due to only-StarClan-knows-what. Streaming into the clearing after the beaming she-cat came a multitude of different colored pelts belonging to the chosen MapleClan cats: ShadeFlower, SummerFur, DarkRidge, MountainBrook, TalonFang, PrarieDust, FawnSpots, TrueForge, DreamHeart, WillowGrace, SoftFlame, SeekingPaw, and MusicNote; an unusually large group. Maybe behind HoneyStar's grinning face was a serious cat expecting trouble?
With her deputy following close after her, HoneyStar trotted up to ScytheStar and GoldStar in the thick swath of grass at the clearing's center.
"Where's SilverStar?" She asked after a moment's inquisitive stare at ScytheStar. If another one of those all-too-soft pansy leaders was replaced by a cat like ScytheStar -who would mind his own buisness and expect others to do the same- then HoneyStar was fine with it. Her oppinion, like Scythe's, was that the clans were too friendly with each other. To expect them to come to each other's aid every time something went wrong was like expecting Rogues and Clans to be friends.
She flicked her plumy tail back and forth in a rythmic motion, clearly impatient to begin the gathering.

[Marrowbone]

((I find that ironic on Honey's part, as if it weren't for Screechstar, Silverstar, and Ravenstar helping out in the first war she wouldn't be alive XD And I defiantly wouldn't call Silver a pansy.))

Scythestar took his seat at the base of the fallen log, giving the PewterClan leader a shifty glance as he approached. He nodded his head, the acknowledgement between leaders instead of between a leader and deputy. "Silverstar passed away. She was quite old." His answer was braced and defensive, as most new leaders were. "It's nice to see you've found your way back, Goldstar." The slightest bit of a smile was on his muzzle as he spoke, acting deliberately to egg on the PewterClan tom. He might be a new leader, but Scythestar outranked Goldstar in age, and he sensed the snip of anger Goldstar felt ever so slightly.

((Bad post D; ))

[B-r-e-z-e--->>]

Dawnstar entered the island in quite a ruffled mood. There were patches of her fur missing and her eyes were angrier than usual. She was possibly the most hostile leader of the current. Her head was still high and proud, but there seemed to be a chunk of her usual confident aura missing. Behind her were only a very few cats whih included the following: Meccapaw, Frostwinter, the medicine cat's, new apprentice, Darkangel, the deputy, Flickerpaw, Skywhisker, and Fallingflame. They were all together a group of six, a far depleted group.

The leader tore through the gathering like a storm, her angered and troubled spirit soaring to its heights. She stood by the leaders and listened to their discussion, eyes intense, yet she herself didn't speak. She would save her news for the gathering, or perhaps not at all. An attack was something you kept secret. Even in the worst of times she was wary of other clans trying to steal away Crescentclan land.

[~XxLone*WolfxX~]

Springfeather sat back a little ways away from the leaders. This was pretty much his second or third gathering. Honestly he couldn't remember how many he had been to. But this was his first gathering as Duskclan's new deputy. Which was something he was truly happy to be. Though he contained joy and most emotions well. So the tom sat calmly looking down scuffing the ground slightly with his orange paws. Glancing around he saw all the leaders were here. That meant the gathering would start soon. His pelt prickled slightly and he was anxious to hear what the clans would say about the recent battles with rogues. Surely there would be a lot to share with them missing the last gathering. Still his thoughts dwelled on what might happen. Turning his mind away from possibilities and going to the obvious he noted Dawnstar's ruffled pelt. She would have a bit to say, or very little so that she may avoid making her clan look weak in any way. Honeystar seemed... Confident? It was hard to tell for the tom. It seemed that Goldstar was agitated and his voice held a bit of... Perhaps it could be called malice? As for his own leader, Scythestar was holding out fine of course.

Prairiedust held her head up as she followed her leader into the camp. She stopped and hung back to stand warily beside Darkridge and some others. Her pelt prickled a bit at the way the leaders were acting. Noticing Silverstar's absence and the way Springfeather sat close to the leaders she was lead to assume the old leader had passed. Turning her head she looked out at the clearing to see if she knew any of them. It seemed that she did not so she sat curling her tail around her paws to wait for the gathering to begin.

[» Sacrifice]

The moonlight beat down softly as the CresentClan cats arrived, and all different orbs seemed to follow them as they made their way on the island. Behind Dawnstar, the deputy Darkangel walked, bright orbs shinning slightly, quite the opposite of the raging leader in front of him. Instead of anger, the tom showed no emotion, piercing eyes hard as he looked at the DuskClan and MapleClan representatives. Those two clans had been too proud to aide CresentClan or PewterClan as it was attacked, leaving only two clans to fight off the rogues that had driven PewterClan out. Maybe there was a reason for DuskClan to have left the battle alone, judging by the faintly smug look that Scythebark carried, he must be the new leader of DuskClan. The death of Silverstar must have rocked the clan, she had been around for a while. But what about MapleClan? They had no reason to have left the two clans to fight for themselves, Honeystar was looking as bold as she always had been, not a scratch on her. Maybe that clan just enjoyed the fact that they might have gotten some CresentClan land, should they have fallen. Well, should they try to attack, then they would find out exactly what CresentClan had, and that they hadn't been harmed by the previous battle.

Dipping his head to Nudgewing, the PewterClan deputy, Shadeflower, the MapleClan deputy, and the DuskClan deputy, it was not a cat that he had seen before, Darkangel settled himself down, waiting for the gathering to start as cats milled around, eager to see each other on friendly terms, and anxious to see what had happened to each other, as all the CresentClan cats were torn, his own bright pelt was marked with healing gashes, and although he was not as marked up as Dawnstar, he had seen more then a few curious looks already through that night.

"I am sorry for your loss."
Turning to the new DuskClan deputy, Darkangel dipped his head slightly in greeting to the unknown cat, seemingly unhostile to the DuskClan cat.

Well, on the surface that is. On the inside, there was anger at MapleClan and DuskClan for what they had done, but wasn't tonight suppose to be one of peace? Hopefully, it would stay that, for this had been the first Moon high in a long time, almost as though the battle had angered StarClan.

[*Sinister*Dreams*]

Goldstar nodded curtly, eyes level. If that tom thought himself more than equal to the other leaders, he'd be out for trouble. PewterClan was back, and strong as ever. This was determined to be point at the gathering, and Goldstar would not let the potential hjostility in Scythestar's gaze escape attention.

"Yes, our clan is home and stronger than ever. Were are much more capable of fighting our own battles, especially now we've new warriors to back us up."

His words were laced with a double meaning, and he laced them towards Scythestar, semingly slightly mroe hostile towards the DuskClan leader than Honeystar, although his gaze could not help but emit a slight displeasure. Scythestar was not the only one to ignore them, though pride also made Goldstar deffensive. His clan did not need Scythestar, like he preffered to think, however many less would have died had the high and mighty leader jumped from his perch being fed mice and helped.
Behind the golden leader, Pouncepaw glared hostily at DuskClan. She had noticed the look, and having been around her mentor long enough, knew how valuable a response was. She padded darkly behind to Havoccrypt and spoke to him.

"If Scythestar thinks himself too righteous to be in danger, than may it be on my wishes he slips on his way up that rock. Besides, he's yet to prove himself worthy of Silverstar's pawprints. This is no way to start, if I'm not mistaken."
Pouncepaw glared openly at Scythestar, before Goldstar's tail flicked once, a recognizable sign of warning.

[*~ForestWind~*]

((Didn't Fallingflame not join the clan yet...))

The two she-cats moved swiftly in the group of clan-mates, letting the moist ground led their exited pawsteps. Finally, Pewterclan was back in their own camp. It stunk like rouge and crow-food combined, but the none the less.. they were home! Lovespell and Floragaze inhaled deeply, the flood of many cats hitting their nose. The night was dark, but welcoming. Moon high in the sky, and the stars of ancestors twinkling brightly above. The pink tinted cat let her tail twitch at the song in her head only herself could hear, trailing after Goldstar. This was not her first gathering, but was still very ecstatic about accompanying this one. Yet she could feel the tension among the leaders pulsing off in the handfuls, about to explode in the warm and humid air. Lovespell dropped her gaze to the ground, and went to sit with the rest of Pewterclan. Yet the younger warrior stayed back, flames dancing in her bright jade orbs. She was tired and worn still from the battles with Renegade. She would never admit it, and wanted to come to this gathering. But that didn't stop the small and fierce she-cat, more patriotism and pride for her clan. A small smirk creeped upon her maw as Goldstar talked back to Scythestar. He would have to learn that Pewterclan was back and strong enough to be him... no one had the right to underestimate them. It was a pity Silverstar had to pass the way she did, but deaths happened for a purpose. Something still felt out of place here... Floragaze sat farther away from it all... particularly close to a certain log...

The chosen cats were few this gathering, and time seemed to slow down for the older apprentice. This was the first time in many moons all the clans met together, and much had happened in that time. Renegade and his heartless band of rouges were gone now, just a memory stolen away by the wind. Yet it wasn't that case for everyone... many loved ones lives being taken along as well. Flickerpaw thought that everyone should be more calm and respectful since this threat was gone... but still it was not. Their own leader seemed the most ruffled out of everyone, and knew the reason why. The she-cat sighed; no longer the wisp of fog in the air when she did so... summer was on its way. Would Dawnstar share their news? Flickerpaw wasn't too sure, and so she got seated near the speaking rock. Crystal blue orbs were dormant in her hollow, expressionless eyes... replaced by the color of smoke after a fire was put out. She would have to be ready for anything that happened within her clan. Her silvery pelt was like she was dunked it liquid moonlight, beautiful and elegant in the way it shimmered. Only if Dustpaw was here with her...

[Marrowbone]

((I'm not gonna reply immediatly, but I'm gonna point out that they use a fallen log to speak. Not a rock. ))

[*~ForestWind~*]

((I don't know if you are speaking to me Marrow, but I did put a log... xDD))

[yellow]

(( I thought it was a stump? Oh well. ))

Loganpaw was so excited since it was her first gathering. She quickly bounded over to Flickerpaw. "Hiya! Were you just made an apprentice? I was!" Her soft green eyes were gleaming with excitment. Loganpaw looked down at her paws when she saw that red-stained claw of hers show. Her white pelt rippled with sadness. She shook it off. And was ready for an answer.

Softflame padded over and sat next to Havoccrypt. "I trust that things are much better in PewterClan now. After that awful little scumbag Renegade took over I began to worry. It's good riddance that he is dead now is it not?" She whispered meaningfully.

[HoneyStar]

((I wasnt here for Honey's early leader-ship. I left shortly after she was made deputy and returned, as you know, just a few months ago. I'm roleplaying her as I've always roleplayed her: a tough, egotistical, dramatic, obnoxious little die-hard with an attitude towards everything(and everyone). So I wouldnt know that she had a moment of weakness in which she needed another clan's help. And wasnt SilverStar Shadie's oddish leader cat? Or was she that russian blue? Or are they the same cat but with a persona disorder? I forget these things sometimes... =P))

New warriors? Now who would they be?
HoneyStar stifled a yawn with those thoughts. Like an idiot, she'd been up nearly 24 hours on several patrols, though it really hadnt been nessecary; her clan had plenty of able warriors. She'd just forgotten about the gathering until an apprentice had asked if he would be going.
So... back to those new warriors thoughts. Rogues, maybe? GoldStar certainly wouldnt make a pact with those Circuit Cats, would he? HoneyStar's lamplight gold eyes flicked in an alarmed way to GoldStar as she tried to judge his character.
Nah. I doubt a cat like him would do something so... sudden. Maybe he's just bluffing to get the other leaders having thoughts like the ones I'm having...
The she-cat dismissed her thoughts.
"So now that we're all here, who wants to go first?" She suspected GoldStar or ScytheStar would want to speak first, to prove their awesome-ness to the rest of the world.

[~XxLone*WolfxX~]

((Silverstar was like one of the original leaders. Yes she was Shade's and she was sorta crazy and she was silver... I don't think she was a Russian Blue. Otherwise I can't remember when she had her weak moment. And I have nothing to really post s~o... I answered the Silverstar question. XD))

[HoneyStar]

((I remember the non-pansy was the russian blue, whoever she was. ScreechStar, maybe? I think she was ScreechStar.))