► a cloudless night [june gathering] ◀

As Miststone stepped into the glade with her clan, she held her head high and puffed out her chest, taking long and graceful strides like that of a leopard. Though Gatherings existed to maintain the tenuous peace between clans, they were also places for performance. Such was the way she swayed her tail and moved her shoulders: she needed, not only to the other clans that ShoreClan was thriving, but to exemplify its success.

Even if she knew she shouldn’t be walking.

She took her place near the front, glancing around the clearing to locate any other cats she might recognize from the other clans. She settled down where she was, hoping, above all else, that the Gathering would run smoothly. At the least, there was not a cloud dotting the sky. Perhaps StarClan was pleased.

It was a temperate evening, but Wapatofur's paws shook as if it were the coldest night in Leafbare.

The monstrously fluffy tom stood alone by the entrance to the medicine den, tail puffed out and eyes unfocused. Periodically, he shot a terrified look at the other GaleClan cats as they slowly congregated in the middle of the clearing. But each time a curious feline made eye contact with him, Wapatofur felt his pelt grow hotter and he quickly averted his gaze.

Tonight was to be his first gathering as GaleClan deputy, and he felt like he was going to vomit a moon's worth of hairballs. In just under an hour or so, he'd be in front of hundreds of wriggling cats who, by the end of the night, would likely not only know his name but every last detail of his life. In just under an hour or so, he could kiss his painstakingly-cultivated privacy goodbye forever.

Wapatofur dropped into a crouch, ears flat. 'Why in StarClan's name did Basilstar choose me as deputy?' He thought, gripping the soil to steady himself. 'I came to GaleClan to live in peace. This is so much worse than ShoreClan.'

The sound of pawsteps at the medicine cat den entrance just barely dulled his anxiety. Wapatofur's head shot up and he rose to his paws.

"Frozenkingdom...," he murmured when he saw the cranky healer, eyes pleading for... something.

Wapatofur didn't know what he wanted from the older tom. Comfort? Advice? Herbs to lessen the anxiety? An escape plan? All the large cat knew was that Frozenkingdom would probably be able to help.

The evening scene had never looked so fair, bathed in the dimming light of the setting sun beyond the horizon, the bodies of cats big and small casting long shadows among the green grass of the clearing. A breath of excitement was caught in Burnetpaw’s throat when she was met with the likeness of cats both new and old (but mostly new after all this time), and though she was still closest to her own clanmates, the apprentice couldn’t help but feel out of place. This was her first Gathering since her accident after all… She knew no cat would stare, but still, she couldn’t help but feel embarrassment seeping in. She stuck out, and she knew it.

Though she hadn’t spoken to Frozenkingdom for the majority of the journey, the young she-cat held back a purr when she knew that he’d come with the clan for her, or at least partially. Burnetpaw was keen enough to know that something was bothering him, but kept her distance-- she didn’t want to smother him in questions on a day that was already packed with anxiousness, both good and bad, for everyone. But for now, Burnetpaw set her sights on the cats from the other clans, itching to see those she hadn’t seen in moons, and to meet new faces.

---

Gathering, Gathering, Gathering. That’s all that seemed to repeat in Haildrift’s mind from the moment the sun rose and cast away the stars. Now that the stars had made their reappearance and Silverpelt shone bright, finally the mantra of Gathering, Gathering, Gathering could fade. Morningstar’s orders were clear: help prepare Orchidclan for the journey, and to make their appearances both lively and strong. Haildrift must’ve been on his paws all day; once the cacophony of scents hit his nose upon coming face to face with the other clans, he sure felt the stiffness and ache in his legs.

His eyes met the silhouette of his leader in the near distance, and he cautiously dipped his head in greeting after quietly pacing over the moment he was able to break off from the rest of the crowd. “Morningstar.” He swept his tail between his legs, mewing quietly, “Is everything going okay? I’m not forgetting anything, am I?” He thought he could keep up appearances, looking bold and ready, but he suddenly realized how wrong he was with his question that was not-so-subtly reflecting his own worries. Maybe his exhaustion was clearer than he thought.

With her cats not far behind her Morningstar had been pleased with the group that had been assembled for the nights gathering. It was a strong group of warriors and she was sure that they would be a good representation of the clan. They were all fed and looked well rested - perfect. There would be no signs of weakness coming from Orchidclan, not tonight - not ever. Turning her gaze from where she rested in the clearing she turned her attention to Haildrift,

"Lift your head and untuck your tail." she started sharply, keeping her tone hushed. "You did as you were asked, hold more pride in the work you do." she noted, her tone was stern. Her eyes met the others and her pride was clear as day. She was a very proud leader, and she would not let a deputy of her's lower their head, she would make sure Haildrift held his head with pride. "We have made it here in one piece, if your clanmates are fine, maybe you should go and mingle with the other deputies." she hinted, motioning her tail towards the lower roots of the tall tree. She wouldn't make her way over just yet - but soon, once the other two made an appearance. 

---

Frozenkingdom had been sure to keep an eye on Burnetpaw on their journey. He had been in a lot of pain, but he wasn't going to openly complain, especially as they closed in on the island and the cats who would love to gossip about any weakness Galeclan showed. However a nervous voice pulled his attention as he looked at the long furred tom. He could've sighed seeing how nervous the other was,

"Wapatofur, you're going to do just fine. Don't forget you are supporting Basilstar tonight. You have nothing to worry about. Your clanmates are looking to you - just hold your head high and if it helps, fake it till you make it." he advised softly, hoping to keep his voice lower as they neared the island. Glancing over at his young apprentice he gave her a small nod,

"As for you, same thing. Don't overthink it. You'll be meeting the other Medicine Cats tonight, and it won't be the last time you see them. Just remember you don't give away any vital information to any cat. Friendships are good, but we aren't going to openly say we have problems. That's for Basilstar to decide if he wants to share or not" he mused carefully, giving her a quick run down as he jumped up on the log to cross over. A small hiss escaped him as his leg twinged, but he kept on.

Basilstar purred politely at Frozenkingdom, his eyes twinkling at Burnetpaw, “I’m sure she knows. You’ve trained quite the apprentice. And besides, I'm sure that they're well aware of our Clan’s predicament. If not, it will be obvious to the most oblivious the moment I am seen up there alongside the Leaders with Wapatofur as my Deputy.” Basilstar focused on the opening ahead. A tall tree stood above them all. No leader seemed ready to take their place on the branch. Basilstar turned to look at Wapatofur, trying to give him some empathetic encouragement, “This will be our first time at this. You as Deputy and I as Leader. But I assure you, even if I may be thought of as an uneducated Leader, I didn't choose you because I thought you were the right choice. It is because I am certain.” Veering around, he padded forward. Flicking his tail for his Clan to follow. A confident yet relaxed composure he kept the entirety of his entrance, as it was his brand. Effortlessly, he climbed himself into the branch. A skill finally learned after many slips as a young apprentice. He watched all the cats mingling not too far away, and a bittersweet feeling laid itself heavy on his heart.
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Mellowpaw hurried quickly after Bumbleflower and his Clan. He had gotten preoccupied following a scent of Basil nearby, something that they had been meager on stock back at camp. However, he admitted that it would not be worth the scolding of going missing from a Gathering. He noticed Minknose, his Deputy, looked much more refined in not only appearance but in her aura as well. Nevertheless, Mellowpaw dare not say so. He did not know the she-cat well, but the Deputy had intimidated him ever since he was a newly arrived kit. Of course, it had only been a few moons since he was adopted into his Clan, but it did not feel that way to him. Life as a kittypet seemed so long ago. Life as a property to be sold to another. Mellowpaw raced to the clearing with the front of the group. Slowing his pace, he looked around. It was his second Gathering, but it gave him no less joy and amazement than the first. Sitting down, he waited in the crowd for Bumbleflower to arrive.
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Cloverfrost gazed up at the starry sky, resting herself on the grass of the clearing. There were not many things that tore her stare from the stars. She did not stop to even groom herself. Cloverfrost reflected that she did not care for them much before a couple of moons ago. But the stars now held her brothers, and she felt so bored after they left for the sky. The meowing of cats seemed far to her- tonight was a perfect night to look upon the exposed heavens. But once the silence came, as it would be her duty as a Warrior, she would have to rip away her sights back to reality. The thick-white-furred she-cat purred, knowing that it would be some time until the Gathering would truly start.