LINKS

[ This thread occurs after the Moonpool plot and the (intended) thread at The Junction. Kazul, if you're not cool with the Wildkit-already-buried thing, let me know. I will gladly edit. ]

Mazestar:

The leader of SkyClan padded heavily along the canyon floor toward camp, helping Softcloud herd her young kits. He padded shoulder-to-shoulder beside the queen, there for her to lean on if she needed it. Though three kits had been rescued, Wildkit was lost. They buried the young tomkit at The Junction, and it was from this errand that the small assembly returned. There would be a vigil later tonight. But first, a meeting.

“Softcloud,” mewed Mazestar gently, slowing his pace, and then stopping to look at her. They had neared the dens, close enough that Clanmates might see them, but the tom’s words were quiet, for her alone. “I must meet with the Clan. I don’t expect you to attend, if you’d rather take the kits to the nursery to rest.” His dark gaze shifted to camp up ahead. SkyClan would be curious where Wildkit was, and why they all smelled like foreigners. He took a deep breath, frowning, and glanced back at her. “Don’t feel obligated to answer anycat’s questions. I’ll explain what happened.”

Mazestar studied her a moment longer, sadness and concern etched in his face. He wished he knew exactly how to comfort her, what to say. But what words could ease the pain of losing one’s child? Slowly, he released the breath he had been holding, and left Softcloud’s side to close the distance between himself and the Rockpile. A quick tension of powerful muscles, and he sprang upon it.

“Cats of SkyClan,” called Mazestar, his deep, sonorous tone filling camp. “Your leader summons.”

There was an edge to his call that suggested troubling news. Not only would he announce a death this evening but also the identity of the foreigners, and the - no doubt, controversial - ideas he had to keep them safe.

[sorry about not posting with Spiceleaf, Dark.
My computer went BOOOM!
Did she go anyway, or just stayed? O.o]

Hearing Mazestar's call, Spiceleaf poked her head from the medicine cats den, her blue eyes roaming the camp blindly. She had an idea of what the meeting was about. The dreams she'd received lately had hinted around. Her pelt itched nervously, and she stepped out of the den, padding to sit below the Rockpile. She made sure to avoid the crowd, and went around the gathering cats to avoid colliding with them.

Taking her place beneath her leader, she gazed up at him, almost as if she could see him.

TIMEISGOINGBY

After not finding the kits, Peachspots decided to stay in the camp and wait till either Mazestar and Softcloud or Curseblight and Jadestream returned with them. She had eaten something then, the first thing she had that day, and hunted a bit, bringing back two birds. She then positioned herself by the warriors' den, where she had a good view of the camp entrance, and just watched and waited, something she was rather good at. Focusing her ears and scents, she waited for the return of their ruined clan.

When she heard the rustling of paws over the terrain, the female warrior stood up, and approached the center of camp, drawing in the scent of Skyclan. But some other scents. She waited to see who the comer was. The familar tabby coat with the black stripes cutting sharply through it was who she saw first, followed by Softcloud. She perked up when she saw the kits coming into camp. But only three had come, there were four. Wildkit was missing. Her ears went down as she realised what that had to mean. Wildkit was either dead or missing.

When Mazestar called for a clan meeting, she swung her body around, facing the rockpile, and Mazestar. Her eyes watched as Spiceleaf made her way around the very small group of gathering cats, and settled herself down away from the others, and fixing her blind eyes on the Rockpile. Peachspots did the same thing once again.

--------------------

Ciderstripe padded into the Center of Camp, her fur slightly ruffled from a long name. Being the vain cat that she is, she primped herself up before making her grand appearance. "Hey guys!" she called out, not to anyone in particular. Ciderstripe padded towards the throng of cats, but not near Spiceleaf. Annoying girl had been rude to her earlier, and Ciderstripe was going to make it a point to steer clear.

Who cares if she saved my life?! I don't care! That's NOT an excuse to be rude to ME, Ciderstripe of SkyClan!

Ciderstripe flopped down and settled herself, waiting for Mazestar to begin his boring 'Newsreel', as usual.

EDIT: Table removed, IE coding issue.

... A scraggly gray tabby made his way into the camp, shoulders lightly hunched, his sallow yellow gaze narrowed slightly against the sunlight. He’d spent the morning hunting for those kits but his scruffy ears flicked slightly as he saw that they were returning with Softcloud—save one kit. ‘Ah,’ he thought, almost regretfully, and walked over to where the other cats were assembling. ‘Poor queen, eh,’ the warrior thought as he found a place to sit alone. He avoided sitting near the other cats, hunkering down and wrapping his thick tail around his body. Curseblight gazed up towards the leader expectantly, catching a whiff of foreign scents on his fur but ignoring it. Might be from those interlopers who took over their land after they had been driven away by the sickness. The gray tabby yawned slightly, feeling the exhaustion from the long search beginning to set in, squinting his eyes shut as he did. Then, he shifted so he was crouched on the ground, paws resting in front of him, flexing lightly.

...Winterstorm padded into camp and deposited a fat couple mice onto the freshkill pile just as Mazestar called a meeting. His voice was heavily laced with... undertones that Winterstorm hated to hear. She hated even more she hadn't been there when the kits had run off. Maybe if she had, she could have saved Wildkit... No! Shaking her head harshly, Winterstorm strode towards the meeting grounds before plopping down into a sitting position. Not usually a quiet cat by nature, her broodingness gave off a clear warning that she was troubled.When the kits had taken off from camp, both her and Silverjade, her twin brother, had been out hunting. Silverjade had been furtherest away clear on the other side of the territory. Winterstorm had only arrived in camp shortly after Softcloud had minus one kit and looking very upset. It hadn't taken her long to figure out what had happened and Winterstorm had been devastated. Kits were so cute... so precious... and to have one die so soon... It wasn't fair. Her brother had arrived back in camp about 30 minutes later and she'd told him the news quietly. Silverjade was always a weird one, but when it came to sobering matters, he acted like a totally different cat. He hadn't said much, but Silverjade had suddenly taken on more hunting and patrol duties to let the others have time to mourn. Hearing her brother coming now, she looked over her shoulder as he entered camp.


...Skittering into camp after his sister, Silverjade was dragging rather unceremoniously a large pigeon he'd managed to kill. Winterstorm had dared him too (He just wouldn't SHUT UP already! I had to to make him go away and leave me alone for awhile!) and true to form, Silverjade had taken up the dare and delivered. Granted he'd nearly broken a leg taking a flying leap like he had out of a tree to catch the stupid bird, but he'd caught it. Eagerly trotting over to the meeting, Silverjade put down a glittering white and black piece of quartz he was carrying - his prize from Winterstorm for having caught the bird and winning the bet. Happily pawing the rock, Silverjade smiled kittenishly to himself for a few moments, before tucking his rock back against his leg and looking around. He'd heard the news about Wildkit from his sister once he'd returned from hunting on the other side of the clan's territory. He knew it was upsetting her badly that she hadn't been there, but they hadn't known. They'd both been out hunting. Placing a paw atop on of hers, Silverjade tried to comfort her while waiting for the meeting to start.


((I hope it's alright I had them know since they'd been so inactive. Otherwise I wouldn't have had anything to really write about with them... >.> And is it okay if I imply that Winterstorm helped out in the nursery some to help Softcloud? She's a nurturing type and would have if I'd had time to post with her doing so...))

This post has been edited by Arisu on Jul 25 2009, 02:39 PM

...... Red-amber eyes stared, almost unseeing, as she and Mazestar returned to camp with their pelts brushing, the kits ahead of them. She hadn't said much since the other four Clans had left and they had laid Wildkit to rest. Her kits were unusually quite and did exactly as she murmured, when she actually said something, or when their leader asked them to do something. As Mazestar's voice brushed over her awareness, she nodded when he spoke, telling her what he needed to do and pretty much giving her free reign to do as she wished. She watched him leave her side and padded over to the play area by the nursery. There, she began to wash each with very thoroughly to wash the strange scent from their fur before she allowed them to enter the nursery. As she did so, she was uncharacteristically aggressive, hissing and growling at any other clanmate who came near the clearing by the nursery where she and the kits were, other than Mazestar, Jadestream or Spiceleaf. She couldn't deny those three access to where they felt they were needed as they all had rank above her. Once she was content that the kits were cleaned and relieved of the other Clans' scent, she let them go into the nursery if they wanted or wait by her side and play a little, if they felt like it. But she never let them go far and she still didn't allow anyone other than the ranked cats near. Then Softcloud settled down to listen to the meeting and what Mazestar had to say concerning the things that had happened this night.

H i k o M o k u s h i

Sorry for the lack of reply. Like everywhere.
Feel free to kill me.

J a d e s t r e a m

         Jadestream’s emerald gaze had dulled considerably in the past few hours. He was tired, physically and emotionally. Searching for the kittens had turned up nothing but old prey scent trails and a random rogue or two. Both he and Curseblight found nothing, and all they had to show for it were sore paws. And then Mazestar and the terrible news..

         He had watched Wildkit’s funeral with a heavy heart.

         The death of a fellow clanmate was hard enough, but when it was the death of a mere child, it struck a chord deep inside of him. It was the sort of reaction that one had when anything happened against one’s nature. The violent sort that made one feel as though they’d been stabbed in the gut. His head felt like it would explode. His heart was in his throat. There was a part of the tom-cat that had never fully grown up, never accepted that role of adulthood. It was in this circumstance that he felt he could not accept the death of the tiny kitten, and in such a horrible way. It rocked him to his very core. All of his hard work, all of his attempts to make this world a better place had failed so miserably he was not sure that anything could save it.

         Mazestar’s voice echoed amongst the rocks and Jade slid out of the warrior’s den at a slug’s pace. His entire body felt heavy, and for the first time, the silver warrior truly felt his age. He was not old certainly, but he was no longer a young warrior. Time weighted him down now. He flicked his ears towards the Rockpile without so much as a glance in its direction. Softcloud’s hazy form dominated his line of sight. Anger and disappointment flooded his veins, almost all directed at himself, and still he could only bring himself to walk quietly to her side. “I am,” he whispered in a hushed tone, every word with a tiny exhale to take the suffocating air from his lungs, “so sorry that I failed you.”

         Lightly, Jadestream touched his nose to her shoulder in the only way that he could comfort her. Even then, he knew nothing would be enough. He had watched kittens die before. He had seen it in the nursery, in the wild, and on the battlefield. However a little one died, a part of them all died with it. He didn't expect the grieving queen to answer him, so he walked slowly away from her. Easily spotting the siblings, he padded quietly to Silentwhisper’s side and sat. “Misery doesn’t suit your face, Silentwhisper” he tried to joke, though the way his mouth refused to smile made it difficult. “You’re too pretty for it.”

Up to you, Aiko. I'll play along either way. EDIT; Curseblight added to the Gathering list “SkyClan. Your attention, please!” His voice rang out, low in notes and rich in quality. Most ears found the tone a pleasant one; clear but not harsh, gentle but not lulling. Lucky for those that did, for they would hear much of the voice this evening. The owner had many subjects to address. He allowed a moment for quiet, and began. “We found Softcloud’s kits at the Moonpool,” he mewed solemnly. “They wandered off on their own and fell in. When we reached them, three had already been rescued. Wildkit, unfortunately…” The leader bowed his striped head with true regret. “He hunts with StarClan, alongside his father and so many others – our friends, our loves, our children – who have left us too soon. A vigil will be held tonight at The Junction, where we have buried him. Anycat who wishes to may attend.” There would be many cats present at the vigil, he knew. Softcloud’s kits were well-loved. After the Plague it would have been easy to give up, without them. But SkyClan had to survive; these kits needed a Clan to grow up to. They represented hope. With them, there could be a SkyClan in the future. To lose Wildkit was not only heart-wrenching. It was also disastrous. “Forgive my continuation,” Mazestar said apologetically. He loathed to disrupt others’ grieving, but the meeting could not end here. “The nature of the kits’ rescuers is something I must immediately discuss with you all.” He visibly tucked away his sadness; he had no choice. The next topic required perfect delivery. His Clan needed to understand how important this news was. They needed to focus, however deeply they felt the blow of Wildkit’s death. His dark eyes and voice hardened. “They are the cats who forced us to abandon our territory seasons ago; four Clans, organized identically to us, called ThunderClan, ShadowClan, RiverClan, and WindClan. The four leaders came to Moonpool to speak with me and discovered our kits. Blazekit, Tumblekit, and Wrenkit live because of these leaders’ timely appearance.” Mazestar gave them a lot of information to absorb, information that could pose a great many questions. No time for them now. He took a breath and ploughed on. “The leaders invited us to attend a Gathering on the night of the full moon. It is a tradition for the delegations from each Clan to meet in peace on this night at, ironically, our old camp.” The Island. Naturally the Clans would meet there. It would be an uncomfortable reunion with their old home, amidst the invaders who’d taken it from them. But SkyClan would be there, nonetheless. “SkyClan will be represented by myself, Jadestream, Spiceleaf, Curseblight, Silentwhisper, and Peachspots. The rest of you will remain behind to protect the canyon in case this is a ruse.” He frowned slightly, and then added, “However, I genuinely feel that the Clans mean us no immediate harm.” Except Nightstar, the ThunderClan leader. Mazestar would not be surprised to cross claws with a patrol of his warriors someday soon. That tom seemed most eager, of all the ‘Stars, to cause them trouble in the short term. Mazestar worried, and with good reason. He was not afraid of Nightstar; no, he felt confident he could dispatch the other in a one-on-one. But he had no clue as to how large ThunderClan was. It would be easy to outnumber SkyClan. Far outnumbered, and they wouldn’t stand a chance, no matter their superior battle skill. Mazestar did not share this particular tidbit with his Clan. Not yet. He would first discuss specifics with his deputy and medicine cat. “I will be frank, friends. These foreigners – though peaceful now – concern me. They grow fat and numerous off of prime hunting grounds, while we struggle for stability on scrapland. I fear SkyClan would crumple if even one of the Four chose to launch a war now. All this would take is a misdirected word or another Clan’s need for expansion. SkyClan, we must adapt to survive. This means change. Please, I ask you to be open-minded.” His suggestions would not be welcomed by all of the cats, namely those rooted in tradition. But hopefully, they would listen, and think, and be convinced. For others’ good sense Mazestar prayed to StarClan. “I should like to open SkyClan’s borders to rogues and loners who agree to conform to our laws. I believe there are good cats out there, cats who would join us if given that chance. Strength in numbers, for us and for them. And new blood to be passed on to future generations.” Here he paused, not awkwardly, but contemplatively. He approached his next subject, selecting words with particular care. “SkyClan has not been this small since, perhaps, its creation. Establishing a strong, numerous, new generation is essential if we are to persist as a Clan. Think on your friendships. If anything deeper is to come of them, the time is now.” He employed eloquent phrasing to convey a simple demand - SkyClan, make babies. There were a million more direct ways to ask, of course, but some cats thought the matter taboo in formal conversation. And Mazestar wished to offend no cat by being blunt, if offending them meant they would avoid what he asked. This was no off-color joke. SkyClan desperately needed warriors. They could recruit several rogues and loners to bolster the ranks, but the way to ensure a Clan’s future was from the bottom up; training good-blood youngsters to a high standard. In other words, warriors from scratch. Yes, SkyClan, he thought brazenly. Make babies. He resumed. “There is another matter I intend to raise, but first, a pause. Anycat with questions, comments, or suggestions on anything relevant, now is the time.” Before this moment, all outburst from Clanmates – angry, fearful, aghast, whatever – had been pointedly ignored by the leader of SkyClan. He would not permit interruptions. Now, though, they were no longer considered such. If a cat had a grievance, or anything at all to say, he desired to hear it. He cast his gray-green eyes expectantly over the assembly, willing them to speak.

Darky, just wondering, do you remember what incinations of a scientist meeting was gonna be about? We never got to the actual meeting.

This post was written better the first time, but my laptop shut off on me. Sorry about the lame post.

TIMEISGOINGBY

With a glance over to Softcloud, Peachspots wanted to take back what she had done. The female queen was suffering. The beauiful calico she cat watched as Softcloud hissed at the warriors who came near. She couldn't watch. Turning her head, she looked at Mazestar. Peachspots felt a lump growing in her throat, and fought against it. If she had the lump in her throat, she didn't want to even think about the hole Softcloud had to feel in her heart. Peachspots had never been a mother, but she had a soft spot in her heart. Rather many places, but kits was a huge one. To see Wildkit not return, it broke her spirit. He was so young, there was so much for the kit to learn. His life gone, in the blink of an eye.

The female warrior debated approaching Softcloud, in hopes of comfort, but decided against it sadly. The female queen would treat her the way she was treating everyone else. Peachspots would bring a piece of fresh kill or two after this meeting.

Her gaze slid over Spiceleaf, and a sigh escaped the she cat's lips. There was nothing the medicine cat could do for her suffering clan mate. Some wounds time and herbs just couldn't heal. And the loss of a loved one was one of those wounds. Everyone had amounted in death of loved ones. Their clan, once thriving, now was just a small clan, facing decisions every day. Grief, lonesome, somber. Feelings every cat got. Skyclan wasn't itself anymore.

When Mazestar started speaking, she retreated her gaze from Spiceleaf, and brought it to Mazestar. She listened to his news, the news of the loss of Wildkit, how it happened. He had drowned in the moonpool. The Moonpool was a sacred place to the clan, where Skyclan's leaders and medicine cats traveled to share tongues with Starclan. Wildkit had died at Starclan's bridge to their world. Whether it was a curse or a blessing, she didn't know.

When their leader started talking about the so called Thunderclan, Riverclan, Shadowclan and Windclan, confusion crossed her face over somber, although both were still there. There were just some wounds time couldn't heal. Four clans eehy? And Mazestar said they lived the same lifestyle as Skyclan? Was that even possible?

She listened as Mazestar talked about the so called Gathering. She would be going along with Spiceleaf, Mazestar, Silentwhisper, and Jadestream. Everyone else would stay behind and defend the camp. Maybe things would become more clear at the gathering. Their old home.

But there was reason to thank the leaders. With another glance at Softcloud, somber filled her eyes. An unpleasant thought was brewing in her mind. What if the four leaders hadn't been there? How many kits would have been saved? All three? None? Well, Peachspots didn't want to know. Very unpleasant thoughts that no cat should have wanted to think about. Unpleasant thoughts indeed.

The she cat's gaze returned to Mazestar when he started talking again. If the new clans nerved Mazestar, then Skyclan should worry. The gaze of the she cat danced around the clan, looking at the cats gathered. Mazestar, Jadestream, Spiceleaf, Softcloud, her kits, Silentwhisper, Silverjade, Ciderstripe, Curseblight. That was their clan. Twelve cats total. The smallest their clan had ever been.

Their leader talked about a word misplaced, or the need of more land. More land would be targeted directly at Skyclan, them being the smallest clan. And a word misplaced would mean that they would have to choose their words carefully. Their leader talked about opening the borders to rogues and loners whom wished to join their clan and abid by their code. The code of Starclan. That would improve the clan.

Peachspots was a cat who took notice to the things in life others just zoned over, but that skill was not one to come in handy when discussing matters of importance. She got out of it to get close with other cats, keep you friends near.

The warrior queen hadn't said anything while listening to the rather long speech of Mazestar. This wasn't a normal meeting, as at normal meetings, kits were made apprentices, apprentices given mentors, apprentices made warriors, and warriors were made elders. She hadn't had anything she wanted to raise attention to, so Peachspots allowed her voice to be stolen by another cat. Mazestar wasn't done the meeting, not yet.

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[[okey. =D we'll just stick to how she went then.]]

Spiceleaf listened intently to Mazestar, lowering her head when he announced the death of Wildkit. To her, the idea of the kit not returning, not living a full life as he should, was heartbreaking. She lifted her head and glanced toward Softcloud, as if able to see her. She could feel the emotions radiating off of Softcloud, and she got to her paws, heading toward her den.

Inside, she continued to listening to Mazestar, his voice carrying to her on the breeze. She sniffed around for poppy seeds and chamomile, grasping them in her jaws and exiting. She could hear the shocked murmurs of cats when they heard of the four Clans living around them - the same ones that had run them out before. Spiceleaf felt they meant them no harm, but how could she convince Mazestar of this?

She smelled for Softcloud through the strong scents of the herbs, and padded toward her. Mazestar announced who was going to the Gathering, and she flicked her tail. Well, what if its a ambush there? she thought, annoyed. Mousebrain! Biting her tongue and trying to keep her bad mood underwraps, she neared Softcloud slowly, her sightless eyes blinking in concern.

"Softcloud," she breathed, laying the herbs down gently. "I brought you some chamomile and a couple poppy seeds." She blinked, her tail waving behind her. "I brought one poppy seed for now and a few so you can sleep tonight." She pushed them toward her with her nose, feeling genuinely sorry for the she-cat. No one deserved to lose their kits. She blinked and dipped her head, returning her full attention to Mazestar, just in time to hear the shocked cries.

“I should like to open SkyClan’s borders to rogues and loners who agree to conform to our laws."

Spiceleaf shook her head. Rouges? SkyClan was in a bad position, but to let rouges on to their land? Who's to say they won't mean us any harm? she though in frustration. But she understood Mazestar; there would be a better chance for SkyClan with trustworthy loners joining rather than training kits, which would take much longer. Still, she didn't like the idea, but kept her mouth shut.

All of this biting her tongue was aggravating, and her tail slapped at the ground. She would wait for Mazestar to finish before opening her mouth.

Hiko you're so mean. She's always had a crush on Jade. xD Maze's timing couldn't have been better. lolWinterstorm smiled faintly as Silverjade rested his paw on hers. It was nice to have someone to lean on at times like this, but it also brought out to light her longing for her own kits. And the fear of losing one when she finally had her own. She turned her attention to the mother in question as she herded her kits closer so she could hear Mazestar. Winterstorm wanted to go to her, but seeing Softcloud hissing at everyone but those above her in rank kept the silver shaded female in her seat. She gave a small sigh and looked up only faintly startled as the Deputy, Jadestream sat next to her. “Misery doesn’t suit your face, Winterstorm. You’re too pretty for it.” Winterstorm felt herself coloring into a blush at the older tom's words. She'd always had a crush on the handsome older male but had always been too scared to make a move. She was afraid he would never see her like that and she didn't want to look like a fool. Besides, he was the Deputy and she wasn't even a Senior Warrior. Why would he want to be with her? Still, the smally giggly girl side of her was thrilled and prancing all over the clearing saying "He called me PRETTY! He called ME pretty!" She managed to keep her giggly mental prancing inside and gave the tom a smile at his words. She knew he was trying to be humorous, though the circumstances of the meeting were draining all humor from anything remotely amusing. Well, except for Silverjade. He could find amusement in a rock. Literally. She was relieved he'd quit playing with it before Jadestream had seen that. She'd have died of embarassment. Smiling back at him, she hoped her nerves were hidden well enough so as not to show in her voice. Being around Jadestream had always done that to her in the past... Somehow he made her feel like a blushing schoolgirl Warrior and a clumsy Apprentice at the same time.Thank you Jadestream." She said, her voice soft so as to not carry that far to those around them. She was about to ask if he'd gotten any sleep at all since he looked rather haggard that morning, but Mazestar's voice interrupted her and Winterstorm was forced to attend. Cursing the timing and wondering when she'd ever get the chance to have more than a 5 second conversation with the male, she sighed and obediently flicked up her ears to catch her Leader's speech.The first part was about Wildkit's passing and that they would be holding a vigil for him tonight near his grave. Winterstorm knew she'd be there. That wasn't all Mazestar had to say and both she and her brother listened with interest as he went on to say that the reason the other kits had survived was because these strangers showed up - oh and the strangers were the same ones that had run them off of their old territory. Great. Winterstorm felt her mood dropping as Mazestar went on. She glanced over at Silverjade to see what he was thinking and noticed the tom merely looked pensive and quiet. At the mention of a meeting, to which she'd be attending, it was Winterstorm's turn to look pensive. She wasn't sure she wanted to have to make nice to theives. Mazestar didn't think the other clans meant them any harm, but if that was so, why didn't they surrender some of their old hunting grounds? They were getting fat while SkyClan was struggling to hang on. It just wasn't fair. Mazestar made perfect sense though about not wanting to provoke any fighting and Winterstorm nodded faintly in agreement. She would always put the clan above her feelings.Mazestar then moved on to talk about increasing the clans numbers and while neither sibling were crazy about the idea of letting rogues, loners and possibly kittypets join, both knew they kinda needed the numbers... regardless of the cat's pedigree. Mazestar then mentioned deepening friendships. It only took Winterstorm two seconds to realize what he was saying and she flushed crimson. Oh StarClan! Of all the times for Mazestar to say THAT and I'm sitting next to Jadestream! If Jadestream were to look at her right now, he'd probably think she was a red shaded shecat instead of a silver shaded. The rest of what Mazestar was saying was drowned out by Winterstorm's dreamy thoughts on what it would be like to actually be mates with the hot, gorgeous Deputy. She imagined coming home to camp and curling up in the Warrior's den at night next to his warm fur... Or the look on his face when she proudly presented him with a litter of kits... Their kits first steps... Apprentice ceremony... Their first Gathering...Hearing a sudden silence around her, Winterstorm snapped back to reality and glanced around with her eyes rapidly to make sure it wasn't because someone had asked her a question. Relieved she wasn't on the spot for something, she exhaled a calming breath and forced herself to not think about Jadestream... or their kits... For goodness sake she had to put the clan first! But Mazestar just suggested--shutupshutupSHUTUP! She mentally ordered herself before she turned crimson again. Her twin Silverjade could sense her turmoil and looked at her curiously and arched a questioning brow. Feeling her skin heat again, she briefly shook her head as a sign that she'd talk later and Silverjade shrugged and resumed watching the crowd. He wasn't acting like the meeting was phasing him, but Winterstorm knew he was analyzing everything and when the time came, he'd be ready.

This post has been edited by Arisu on Jul 25 2009, 02:42 PM

... Curseblight ducked his head slightly at the announcement of Wildkit’s death. Normally, he didn’t feel much, but this time a flicker of remorse tugged down the corners of his muzzle and his scruffy whiskers seemed to droop a little. He pulled his tail tighter to his body, shaking his head slightly. His sallow yellow gaze focused back on Mazestar as the leader continued. It wasn’t much of a shock to learn about the other cats—Clans like theirs who forced them out of their lands, regardless. His ears lowered slightly back towards his head at the mention of a Gathering, no reaction surfacing when the cats who were going were announced. He felt a little bit uneasy, an unusual feeling for the apathetic warrior. ‘Let us be alright, eh,’ he wished them all luck silently, for the upcoming Gathering and the future. His pelt prickled slightly with something like surprise. Open the borders to loners and rogues? ‘Rhymetwist,’ he thought immediately. His fur seemed to bristle with excitement, before he forced it to lay smooth. Then, the last part. His ears twitched. ‘’E wants us to have kits,’ he thought without too much surprise. ‘Sorry, Mazestar, eh. I ain’t close to no cat. An’ I can’t even think about doin’ anythin’ like that with a she-cat.’ Surely, the other males would have to make do without him. He shifted slightly where he sat, peering up at the leader, ready for a question. “Say, if we meet rogues or loners who wanna join,” he spoke up in his low drawl, a little uncomfortable at being the only one to speak so far but doing it all the same. “What do we do, Mazestar? Should we bring’em ‘ere, or fetch ya or Jadestream to talk to ‘em?” He glanced over at the deputy briefly.

In this thread: Kittens assigned mentors As Mazestar’s spoke, his subtle green eyes browsed the changes in the expressions and behavior of his Clanmates. The drab shade of the eyes, lost against his usually-striped brownscale coat, often caused them to escape others’ notice. But little escaped the eyes themselves. The leader of SkyClan was a very observant, visual cat. He memorized the shifting muscles, the twitching whiskers, the prickling fur of the cats below him. Later, in his den, he would piece together and analyze memories of this meeting, estimating who approved or disapproved of what. Right now so much else occupied his mind, he did not ponder in-depth their physical reactions. Except for Curseblight’s, whose stifled excitement at the mention of rogue joining was not completely unexpected. Mazestar had been watching him casually, anticipating some sort of response. Mazestar patrolled the length of SkyClan’s border almost daily. He had recently come across a reoccurring pair of scents – Curseblight’s and that of an unidentified tom. Now, he wondered why one his trusted warriors fraternized occasionally with this particular rogue, but had not raised the issue with Curseblight. What could Mazestar do? End the meetings? Punish the warrior somehow? There was nothing to be gained from stepping in except bad relations between himself and Curse and, of course, Clan gossip. The rogue had caused no trouble yet. So, knowing that that Curseblight had a rogue buddy, Mazestar was curious how see how he would react to the comment about joining. Excitement? Mm-hm. When the tom voiced a question, Mazestar’s attention was already fixed on him, ready to answer. “Yes, Curseblight. I would like you to have the potential member wait, preferably at the border, and come fetch myself or Jadestream to meet him.” There was no empathsis on this answer or the last word; it could have been generic and probably seemed that way to the Clan. But the way Mazestar gazed on Curseblight directly, well, there was a reason for Mazestar's word choice. He wanted Curse to know that he knew. The leader lifted his head, making sure the following words were obvious to everyone. “We don’t want to introduce anycat to camp until they have passed an assessment.” A nod of self-confirmation. “Okay, if there are no more questions, I would like to make another announcement.” He gave his Clan a moment to collect themselves and direct their gazes to him once more. Satisfied, he continued, “Softcloud’s kits are nearing the age where they will be made apprentices. I am assigning their mentors today, two moons early, to begin basic training with them.” Perhaps, this caused a reaction amongst the gathered, but Mazestar blazed on without pause. He hated, and ignored, interruptions. “Training will be only a couple of hours a day to start and always within yowling distance of camp. Mentors are not to leave their trainee’s side for any reason. Nothing rigorous, just warm-ups and exercises in the beginning. Then introduce the fundamentals – hunting crouch, how to fall lightly, recognizing scents, the Warrior Code, that sort of thing. Most importantly, mentors will be there to answer kittens’ questions.” Mazestar’s eyes twinkled with a private humor at this last sentence. He spent time with the kits and knew they asked a ton of questions. He finally paused, allowing for collective digestion. A wan smile appeared on his place. He’d given his Clanmates plenty to chew on today. And it wasn’t quite over. He opened his maw again, mewing, “And yes, I did say kittens. Softcloud’s kits will not receive their –paw names until the traditional age of 6 moons. An official apprentice ceremony will be held then. For now, Wrenkit shall be mentored by Whitestorm, Tumblekit by Peachspots, and Blazekit by Curseblight.” He sought out the three highlighted warriors, and his voice tendered. “Introduce yourselves to your trainees tomorrow. They need time to rest and grieve.”

... Curseblight’s ears twitched as the leader’s attention came to fall on him, and a sudden feeling ran through him. ‘Ah. ‘E knows, eh,’ he thought, sallow yellow gaze meeting Mazestar’s. He didn’t feel anxious—he’d never let Rhymetwist come onto their lands, nor hunt their prey. Most of the time, they were engaged in idle conversation, the scraggly warrior just trying to soak up his friends’ presence. He supposed Mazestar didn’t recognize Rhymetwist’s scent from his time in the Clan—oh well, nothing to be done about that. He dipped his head slightly to the leader, his bushy tail curling around his paws. “Alrigh’, Mazestar,” he said. He was a little surprised he wasn’t being punished, but then again, Mazestar knew what he was doing. Curseblight’s whiskers tilted slightly up, his ears perking. ‘Pft, knew I liked ‘im fer a reason.’ As he begun his next announcement, he blinked in surprise. Training the kits? Well, as long as it wasn’t hard work for them, they’d be fine. He glanced around, wondering who the warriors assigned to teach the kits would be and paused as he heard his name. Curseblight’s tail twitched slightly, and his face was as blank as usual, but the movements of his body gave away what he was feeling, whether he realized it or not was yet to be seen. ‘I gotta train one of ‘em?’ He nodded slightly, surprised the leader had assigned him one but happy all the same. He was being trusted to train a kit, after all.