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Post by Moonblazer on Aug 21, 2023 21:28:33 GMT -5
Riverclan:
Diamondheart padded onwards with a confident step. The last thing he wanted was to seem nervous or unsure, lest he be giving Riverclan a bad reputation. After all, Riverclan was at its strongest now, and even in Earthstar's absence, the fact that he could still guide the Clan to Fourtrees without any doubt of the safety of the Clan certainly meant something. He pushed through the fronds of the entrance of Fourtrees, white and silver fur swishing with each step. He cast a calm gaze around, instantly recognizing Shadowclan and Windclan had arrived. At least Riverclan was not the last Clan to arrive here. The deputy nodded to the Riverclan cats behind him to start dispersing to their content, while he turned his gaze right to the large stone below the towering trees.
That was where the leaders sat. He felt his paws itch as he approached in an even gate, steeling himself. After all, it was certainly common knowledge that a leader had to be sharp about what they could speak about before actually presenting. Earthstar made it look so easy, with a calm and powerful stride that made him stand out amongst most cats, and Diamondheart opted to try and replicate that as much as he could.
Mintpaw gasped with delight as she padded into Fourtrees, giggling to Maskpaw. "Look! This place is incredible! We're finally here!" She looked around, stunned already by all the cats.
Windclan:
"Huh. That's odd." Furyflame muttered to Splashstone as she glanced over to where Riverclan cats were beginning to pour into the gathering. Rather than Earthstar's brown fur and muscled frame, she saw the long white and silver coat of the deputy instead. She felt a flicker of surprise. That had to mean Earthstar was busy enough to miss a gathering... or something far more serious...
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Aug 21, 2023 21:33:32 GMT -5
RiverClan
Frostlake padded securely behind Diamondheart, wanting to show the deputy her full support while her mate wasn't here. She eyed the Great Rock. Only Cedarstar and Swiftstar were here. Frostlake glanced in the direction of ThunderClan's territory, wondering where they or SkyClan were.
Maskpaw silently gasped when he followed the warriors into the clearing. "Woah. The trees are so tall and there are so many cats!" He looked at the Great Rock at the leaders upon it. "That must be Swiftstar, he's as lean as they say, and Cedarstar--his burns..." Maskpaw trailed off with a shudder.
Lakepaw held his head high when he entered the clearing. He wanted to show he was as strong as his father was.
Eelshock kept his head low. He didn't really care for gatherings. They were a blatant display of how separated the Clans were. Yet, he looked around. Adderstar wanted them to share his dream of uniting the Clans. Maybe he could talk to some cats?
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Post by thistle on Aug 21, 2023 21:34:03 GMT -5
WindClan
Palegaze's eyes narrowed with interest as he watched Diamondheart approach the Great Rock in Earthstar's stead. "Well," he mused aloud. "What do you make of that?"
ShadowClan
"Hmph. Well, I guess you haven't met anyone outside your Clan..." Fuzzypaw grumbled. She almost immediately returned to her baseline bubbliness. "All right, since you called us nice, why don't we tell you what ShadowClan is actually like, and you do the same for WindClan?" she suggested. She turned her head at the new arrivals. "Oh! RiverClan's here!"
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Post by Moonblazer on Aug 21, 2023 21:42:15 GMT -5
Riverclan:
Mintpaw looked excitedly over at the leaders at her brother's comment, only to have her ears droop a bit as she saw Cedarstar's awful scars. She swallowed. "Oh... he looks..." She trailed off, not wanting to sound rude, but rather she felt awful for the older tom. That had to have hurt alot.
"Of course they're staring." Foxripple snorted, before he lifted his chin and sauntered even more confidently into the gathering. His rippled fur was freshly groomed so he could look his best for every cat to gawk at. Though, he knew all the stares were for Diamondheart, who was speaking for Earthstar tonight.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Aug 21, 2023 21:47:06 GMT -5
ShadowClan
Cedarstar squinted when he spotted Diamondheart leading RiverClan to the Gathering. He eyed the different warriors. Where was Earthstar? He trailed his gaze back to Diamondheart. He wasn't as familiar with Diamondheart as he was with Earthstar. At least he knew Earthstar was more stoic and didn't speak unless it was it was a serious matter. Cedarstar took a deep breath. Diamondheart had been deputy of RiverClan longer than he had been leader of ShadowClan. I'm still the newest one here even if Diamondheart isn't a leader. He tried to recall if there was a gathering where Diamondheart spoke for RiverClan before.
Ashrock and Kinkfire muttered to themselves about Earthstar not leading RiverClan to the gathering.
WindClan
Beanpaw flattened his ears with embarrassment. He wasn't sure how to say that he had been made an apprentice yesterday and hadn't been outside the camp too often. He was thankful for the change in subject when Fuzzypaw mentioned RiverClan. "RiverClan?" He followed her gaze to the cats of sleek coats. He stood up to see the cat leading them: a silvery white tom. "Is that Earthstar?"
Whorlpaw watched the RiverClan cats arrive. She glanced at her father, wondering what he was thinking of Earthstar not being at the gathering.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Aug 21, 2023 21:48:26 GMT -5
RiverClan
Maskpaw looked at his sister and his whispered. "He got those from the fire, right? I remember father saying something. Eelshock thinks Cedarstar lost a life to those burns."
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Post by Frozen on Aug 21, 2023 21:53:44 GMT -5
RiverClan
Glacierpaw kept between Foxripple and Lakepaw, feeling comforted by their presence. He was anxious that the other Clans would have accusations about his father not being present, especially as this was his first gathering.
Shellstream followed Diamondheart's confidence. If anyone had any choice words for her father, she wouldn't hesitate to defend him and her Clan.
Winterfrost approached Fourtrees with intrigue. Gatherings were always a curious thing for her, to be able to speak with the other Clans on this special night. Perhaps she would have some interesting chats before it began.
Koishade kept to the back of the RiverClan cats. She didn't really understand why a quiet cat like her was here instead of her siblings.
WindClan
Silverpaw was about to politely continue, but was interrupted by RiverClan's appearance. "It looks like you got your wish. RiverClan's here."
(I have Slushfur, Shortcloud, and Cinderspeck open along with my River cats!)
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Post by Moonblazer on Aug 21, 2023 21:56:16 GMT -5
Riverclan
Diamondheart approached Cedarstar and Swiftstar with a slow dip of his head, speaking evenly and conversationally. "Greetings. Cedarstar, Swiftstar. The sky's looking quite clear tonight. Before the question comes, Earthstar is perfectly fine. I will be filling in for him." He mewed simply, not feeling much of a need to explain why. He looked between the two toms, really sinking in that these two cats had many lives, all in service of their Clans. The thought he had spent so many moons wondering filled his mind again, that he could one day be given that responsibility. It was daunting, and yet something deep inside of him reminded him that he had been prepared for it for longer than many cats in Riverclan had been alive. Yet, he refused to think about Earthstar dying for that to happen. The love he held for his leader was stronger than stone, and deputy or leader, Diamondheart was determined to maintain that love.
Mintpaw nodded quickly. "I think so, yeah. I mean... looking at how rough it looks, I wouldn't be surprised if he did. Starclan, that's got to be so scary..." She murmured softly, never wanting to be burned like that.
Foxripple looked down at Glacierpaw, purring out. "Now's the time to go meet some new cats! You might get some juicy gossip if you listen in carefully enough." He grinned, teeth shining with anticipation before he nudged his apprentice lightly.
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Post by Willow on Aug 21, 2023 21:57:15 GMT -5
Wind:
Swiftstar eyed Diamondheart curiously, wondering if he was looking at the new leader of Riverclan or that Earthstar just couldn’t make it.
Larkpaw scampered over to the other apprentices, eager to speak with the other clans again.
Eclipsesky looked at Palegaze gratefully, “Thank you for being here with me.”
Shadow:
Duskpaw padded over to the apprentices, head held high. Spottedpaw trailing behind her.
Starrylight slid through the crowd, taking her usual seat behind the deputies.
Thistlestalk wandered the crowd, nodding to Windclan and Riverclan cats
River:
Stormsplash followed behind Diamondheart, eyes sweeping the crowd for signs of his kits among the Windclan crowd.
Skystorm padded into the clearing settling near the group of apprentices so he could keep an eye on Lakepaw.
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Post by thistle on Aug 21, 2023 21:57:18 GMT -5
WindClan
Palegaze bumped his shoulder against Eclipsesky's. "Of course," he replied quietly. "No matter where, I'll go with you."
ShadowClan
"Uh-uh, I think it's Diamondheart, the deputy," Fuzzypaw said, just as bewildered as every other cat by the absence of the stoic leader. "Wonder why he isn't here?"
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Post by Moonblazer on Aug 21, 2023 22:03:20 GMT -5
Windclan
Splashstone lifted his head, looking quickly amongst the Riverclan cats before he spotted his father. He held in his short flicker of interest that sparked through his saddened heart. He still felt heavy as stone, but he just wanted to talk to the tom again. He began to trail off towards him, ignoring Furyflame's scoff at the sight of the tom. It was clear she held no interest in speaking to Stormsplash, but Splashstone didn't care. The clans would probably just think he and his father were good friends.
Shadowclan
Rustlepaw turned her head as she heard Larkpaw approaching, her voice coming with politeness as she tried to look in her direction, the loud noises and scents making it a bit more difficult. "I've yet to meet you, I think!" She admitted. "Are you a new apprentice?"
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Post by Frozen on Aug 21, 2023 22:06:03 GMT -5
"Gossip?" Glacierpaw echoed, eyes wide as he looked at all the other cats around him. There were so many! "I don't know if I can even think about that right now. Do you know any of these cats?" he asked. Maybe Foxripple could introduce him to someone? That would surely be a better start than being thrown into the crowd!
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Post by Icefire15 on Aug 21, 2023 22:07:17 GMT -5
Shadow-
Snowdance eyed Opalmist for a moment before looking away. “I was hoping he would have woken up before we left. Perhaps I should have stayed behind to keep an eye on him.” She said with a sigh, looking around to see if she could find either WindClan or RiverClan medicine cats. “I don’t see Eclipsesky or Specklecreek. That’s odd.” She murmured, scanning the crowd a bit more thoroughly.
River-
Arcticpaw followed behind her clan, her eyes scanning the other two clans. She wondered briefly if Gustpaw would be at the gathering this time too.
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Post by Moonblazer on Aug 21, 2023 22:17:56 GMT -5
Riverclan
"Gossip!" Foxripple purred. "The greatest part of a gathering, of course! The things you'll hear!" He swooned, before he chuckled at his apprentice's unsure look. He purred. "Oh, I know many cats here. I keep them all in order in my mind. Let me take you to some apprentices. See over there?" He pointed with his tail towards Whorlpaw. "That is one of Shadowclan's older apprentices, Whorlpaw, and she's a leader's kit. Just like you." He offered, knowing that Glacierpaw might be able to relate well to her.
Shadowclan
Opalmist's ears fell a bit as she noticed the two medicine cats' absences. She swallowed. "I... I only see Dawnshadow... That can't be right..." She mewed, worried about what that could imply. With how much everyone had reacted at the moonstone last half-moon gathering, she had a terrible feeling in her gut that maybe she wasn't the only one Starclan was angry with.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Aug 21, 2023 22:25:44 GMT -5
ShadowClan
Cedarstar nodded once to the older tom. "Diamondheart. I'm glad to hear Earthstar is well." He was curious as to why the RiverClan leader didn't make it, but he respected the privacy. He wouldn't want the other Clans to know why he couldn't make it to a gathering if he ever missed one.
Rowanpaw followed Silverpaw's gaze. "Huh, if I ask for more Clans, will SkyClan and ThunderClan show up?"
Whorlpaw listened to Fuzzypaw and Beanpaw.
RiverClan
Maskpaw twitched his whiskers, still staring at Cedarstar's scars. "It's hard to think he lost a life in the same fire father was in." He looked at Mintpaw. "Father could've died like the rest of the patrol."
WindClan
Beanpaw looked back at Fuzzypaw. "Diamondheart?" He hadn't heard that name yet. "Wait. A deputy? Where's their leader?"
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Post by thistle on Aug 21, 2023 22:32:21 GMT -5
ShadowClan
"Dunno," Fuzzypaw replied simply. She spotted Duskpaw and Spottedpaw, waving her friends over with her tail. "Hey! Any ideas on Earthstar?"
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Post by Frozen on Aug 21, 2023 22:34:01 GMT -5
WindClanGustpaw rushed past his family members and stopped once he got too close to a group of cats. So much action! Where would he even start? ( Icefire15) RiverClan"Whorlpaw? I didn't know Cedarstar had kits," Glacierpaw commented. He wondered how many the other leader had. "Is she nice?"
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Post by Frozen on Aug 21, 2023 22:35:32 GMT -5
WindClanGustpaw rushed past his family members and stopped once he got too close to a group of cats. So much action! Where would he even start? ( Icefire15) RiverClan"Whorlpaw? I didn't know Cedarstar had kits," Glacierpaw commented. He wondered how many the other leader had. "Is she nice?"
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Aug 21, 2023 22:38:14 GMT -5
WindClan
Beanpaw flinched when Fuzzypaw called over to her clanmates. He shifted his paws nervously at the thought of be surrounded by ShadowClan apprentices.
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Post by Moonblazer on Aug 21, 2023 22:47:16 GMT -5
Riverclan
Diamondheart offered a light nod to Cedarstar, appreciating the other tom's response. He mewed politely. "I'm glad to see that you all seem well. With luck, this gathering will be a smooth endeavor." He decided to go with more casual talk, wanting to save all the formalities for when he would have to report. Earthstar made this part seem so easy too. Diamondheart always felt calmed by the tom's deep laughter. He glanced back at the gathered cats and purred. "I see we've got many of our kits here. Starclan, they get bigger each day." He mused warmly, as he spotted Cedarstar's kits, and Swiftstar's as well. His own seemed content to huddle together, their pelts like balls of fuzz compared to most of the cats around them. Fluffcloud looked like she could fill up a hollow, while Bubblebrook chattered brightly with Applebreeze.
"Whorlpaw's a kind soul, compared to many cats I've known. She seems like a pretty positive and dedicated cat. Loves her father to pieces, it's easy to tell when you hear her." Foxripple chuckled, able to recall many of the cats around them. "Her siblings are Duskpaw and Palepaw." He turned. "Those three are easy to spot in a crowd. Shadowclan's oldest apprentices, Honeypaw, Coalpaw, and Crystalpaw. Those ears and tails, unmistakable. Careful though, Coalpaw's the friendly one of the bunch. Honeypaw's like me, which means he's very very good at getting you to tell him what he likes. Crystalpaw is quiet. Best to not make her uncomfortable." Foxripple nodded, not aware yet that the three were Warriors. He continued.
"Fuzzypaw, Spottedpaw, and Rustlepaw are younger apprentices, a bit older that you though. Rustlepaw's blind, so don't go sneaking up on her, because it won't work. Fuzzypaw's funny, in a good way. Spottedpaw is a bit like you. I think you'd get along with him too."
Mintpaw nodded quickly. "I don't know what I'd do if we lost our father. He had to be super brave, to come out of that fire alive." She decided, proud of her father's courage.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Aug 21, 2023 23:07:40 GMT -5
ShadowClan
Cedarstar flicked his ear twice and followed Diamondheart's gaze into the crowd to find their kits. He hadn't actually paid attention to who Swiftstar's or Diamondheart's kits were, but he felt a sense of pride seeing his own kits in the crowd. He hoped he made them proud tonight. Cedarstar glanced at the deputy. Diamondheart was clearly good with small talk. He certainly made sitting up on the Great Rock a bit less awkward. He tried not to let any of his feelings show; however, he couldn't let ShadowClan look as awkward as he felt. "It feels like yesterday I made my own kits apprentices," Cedarstar commented calmly. He hoped he wasn't sounding foolish in anyway. "Now, they're nearing their warrior assessments." He blinked fondly at his kits. "There's no better feeling than helping them grow strong."
RiverClan
Maskpaw nodded in agreement. He suddenly perked up. "We should tell his story. Everyone always remembers Cedarstar going through the fire, we should tell them what our father did."
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Post by Icefire15 on Aug 21, 2023 23:15:00 GMT -5
River-
Arcticpaw spotted Gustpaw’s familiar pelt and wove through the crowd of cats, coming up behind the WindClan apprentice. “Gustpaw, good to see you again.” She greeted, giving him a small smile.
Shadow-
Snowdance frowned lightly and started towards Dawnshadow.
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Post by Moonblazer on Aug 21, 2023 23:18:03 GMT -5
RIVERCLAN:
Diamondheart looked at Cedarstar with a hint of genuine delight. “It must be such a thrilling experience, to be the one to name your kits all over again. To give them such a memorable ceremony. I can’t say I can understand what that feels like, but I do understand feeling that joy of watching the best part of you grow into their own cats.” He purred, genuine when it came to fatherhood. He loved his daughters more than anything in the world. He was glad that even leaders could easily relate to that.
“We totally should!” Mintpaw exclaimed excitedly. “He walked out of a fire like a hero, after all!” She over-exhagerrated, not fully understanding the true gravity of that awful day.
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Aug 21, 2023 23:23:36 GMT -5
ShadowClan
Cedarstar twitched his whiskers. His own kits ceremonies. Naming them 'paws' was one thing, but naming them warriors? "Let's hope they like the names I pick out for them," he said with a bit of humor, though after he said it, he wasn't sure it was the right thing to say. He always got carried away when it came to his kits. "Palepaw has the determination of his mother. Whorlpaw has boundless energy and Duskpaw is kind. She always puts others before herself. I couldn't be prouder." Cedarstar cleared his throat and looked at Diamondheart. "And your kits?"
RiverClan
Maskpaw grinned that his sister agreed. He looked around the gathering. "Who should we tell first?"
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Post by Moonblazer on Aug 21, 2023 23:31:42 GMT -5
RIVERCLAN:
Diamondheart took interest in the tom’s descriptions of his kits. He made a note in his mind to look forward to see what names Cedarstar would come up with. He brightened as he glanced back at his daughters. “Those four. All she-cats, if you’d believe it, but they’re all wonderful. Applebreeze is clever and witty. Bubblebrook is energetic and optimistic. Sweetberry is gentle and kind, and Fluffcloud is my little fighter, tough and dependable… though, they’re certainly not little anymore!” He chuckled, still amazed by how big all of them were.
“They earned their names recently, though of course that honor was Earthstar’s, and I certainly think he chose well. Once they get that age, you start to see their individuality really shine. You patrol and hunt with them, conversations can be more honest, and they’ll surprise you with the way they respond to everything around you. Might make you feel older, but that’s the good part.” He admitted, able to tell that Cedarstar was a very loving father, which Diamondheart respected deeply.
“Hmmm.” Mintpaw hummed, before she spotted some of the Windclan and Shadowclan apprentices. Rowanpaw was the cat she unknowingly singled out. “He seems pretty cool! Maybe we can impress some of them.”
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Aug 21, 2023 23:41:48 GMT -5
Cedarstar followed the deputy's gaze to Applebreeze, Bubblebrook, Sweetberry, and Fluffcloud. He wasn't familiar with them. "They look like capable warriors," he commented kindly. He took a deep breath and spotted Starrylight in the crowd. She was starting to show, but Cedarstar swallowed down the temptation of mentioning it. "There are many things cats may seek after in life, but if you ask me, the greatest achievement any cat can obtain is that of raising a family." He took a deep breath, realizing that he probably admitted to much to the older tom and Swiftstar. Cedarstar flicked his ear twice and cleared his throat. He tore his gaze away from his beautiful mate to look toward ThunderClan's woods. "They sure are making us wait."
Maskpaw tilted his head when he spotted Rowanpaw and Silverpaw, two cats who's names he didn't now. "I think they're a great place to start."
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Post by Moonblazer on Aug 22, 2023 6:52:27 GMT -5
Cedarstar followed the deputy's gaze to Applebreeze, Bubblebrook, Sweetberry, and Fluffcloud. He wasn't familiar with them. "They look like capable warriors," he commented kindly. He took a deep breath and spotted Starrylight in the crowd. She was starting to show, but Cedarstar swallowed down the temptation of mentioning it. "There are many things cats may seek after in life, but if you ask me, the greatest achievement any cat can obtain is that of raising a family." He took a deep breath, realizing that he probably admitted to much to the older tom and Swiftstar. Cedarstar flicked his ear twice and cleared his throat. He tore his gaze away from his beautiful mate to look toward ThunderClan's woods. "They sure are making us wait." Maskpaw tilted his head when he spotted Rowanpaw and Silverpaw, two cats who's names he didn't now. "I think they're a great place to start." Diamondheart’s casual contentment began to flicker into light curiosity. “Usually they’re much faster to arrive. Perhaps something has been holding them up.” He mused, before looking down over all the cats. So this was what the leaders saw. He could see Sagefoot and Cloudscar at the foot of the rock, in the place he usually would sit. One could really see everything up here! “Race you to them!” Mintpaw exclaimed excitedly as she began to dart her way through the crowds of cats. |
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Post by Willow on Aug 22, 2023 8:39:50 GMT -5
Swiftstar blinked, surprised at Cedarstar's tender statement about family, he nodded slowly agreeing with him. "Fallowmeadow has just moved back into the nursery. She's expecting our second litter." he added with a smile. "I expect my son Wolfstep and his mate Hazelear will be announcing they're expecting kits as well in the next coming seasons. Cloudpaw and Dustpaw are here tonight as well, they are my other son Dustfire's kits." he mewed, pointing to the two apprentices among the crowd. He looked at the moon, noticing it was quickly reaching it's peak in the sky. "Thunderclan and Skyclan must be getting here soon. It's almost moonhigh."
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Post by Willow on Aug 22, 2023 8:49:21 GMT -5
Wind:
Eclipsesky tensed as Shadowclan entered, he frowned though when he didn't see Stormfury among the crowd. He hummed, assuming he stayed back to be with Cherryvine and their kits. "He's not here." he mewed, trying to hide the disappointment in his voice.
Larkpaw nodded, "Well, not a brand new apprentice but yeah! My name is Larkpaw. My sister Juniperpaw is over there. Our mama is Sagefoot!" she answered proudly. "What's your name? You're from Shadowclan right?"
River:
Stormsplash pretended to be focused on the crowd as he noticed Splashstone padding toward him. Once he approached, he dipped his head in greeting, restraining the warmth in his tone for his son. "Hello Splashstone. Good to see you again." he mewed neutrally.
Shadow:
Duskpaw trotted over to Fuzzypaw, nodding to the other apprentices. "I don't know where he is! Cedarstar looked confused when Diamondheart lead Riverclan in."
Spottedpaw nodded, joining the circle at Fuzzypaw's side. "Falcontalon told me he had to lead a gathering once when Northstar was gone. I guess it happens once in a while."
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Post by 🌙Moonpower🌙 on Aug 22, 2023 9:21:48 GMT -5
ShadowClan
Cedarstar glanced at Swiftstar. The tom wasn't that much older than him and he already had grandkits? He looked through the crowd to pick out Swiftstar's kin. "Congratulations to you and Fallowmeadow. If I were you, I'd be very proud." He was tempted to ask how the other tom balanced leadership and fatherhood. Cedarstar had been able to give Palepaw, Duskpaw, and Whorlpaw a lot of his time when they were kits simply because he hadn't been chosen as deputy yet. Now, Starrylight was expecting more and he wasn't sure he would be able to give the same amount of time to them. Yet, Cedarstar kept his mouth shut. The other leaders didn't need to know his internal conflict or be given the chance to doubt him as a leader.
Whorlpaw hummed and watched Diamondheart on the Great Rock. Looked like the leaders were having a conversation, which was more than she'd seen from her father at gatherings like this? "I guess it's alright, then?"
Rowanpaw was unaware of the two RiverClan apprentices racing toward him and Silverpaw.
RiverClan
Maskpaw laughed and chased after his sister.
WindClan
Beanpaw flattened his ears and shrank a little when he was suddenly surrounded by all ShadowClan apprentices.
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