-- a gathering ]

[∂εstΐŋy]

-- Secretstar

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A shadowy shape in the ever present mist over the marsh was the only thing visible to the naked eye. Slowly, the shape approached and became clearer, eventually revealing the small form of WaterClan leader, Secretstar. Her star colored pelt was damp and darkened from the thick, low fog her and the chosen members of her clan had had to trek through to reach Four Streams, the location of the clan's moonly gathering. Assured that each warrior and apprentice were accounted for by a glance over her shoulder, she continued padding along, turning to Glowfang to whisper, "I hope this gathering is quick and without problems."

Secretstar found that although her start out had been late and the journey had taken longer than usual, WaterClan was the first to arrive. How surprising, she thought, that we arrived before FireClan, even with our delays. For it was a rare day when their neighbors in the pine forest were not the first to arrive. She might enjoy being first for once, however, and leaped up onto the center rock.

She settled down in a relaxed sitting position, watching as the last of her clan finished crossing the stone path. Glowfang, Twilightdawn, Skytide, Stormflare... She mentally went through the list, needing something to occupy her time while waiting.

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[Mysticmemory]

Mysticmemory padded into the clearing, heading straight for the spot where Shatterstar usually sat. Shatterstar had left her in charge, just before he went on his journey with Bane.

[~ Resonance]

Stormflare of WaterClan

The warrior slipped quietly after the WaterClan leader, using his sense of smell more than sight to travel through the wet marsh. As he arrived in the wide space, his olive green eyes wandered over toward where Secretstar. She sat alone, though he saw the FireClan medicine cat making her way briskly toward her. The rest of Four Streams was also empty, with none of the other Clans to occupy the space. We're first. Where is everyone? Why is Mysticmemory going to the leaders' place? Ears pricked with confusion, Stormflare padded toward where he usually sat at the back of his Clan, curiosity glimmering in his eyes. Something's up, the gray tom mused.


Shiverpaw, Medicine Cat Apprentice of FireClan

The apprentice bounded after Mysticmemory, managing to keep up with the larger cats of his Clan. The mud squelched around his small paws as he arrived at Four Streams. Short fur matted by the dampness and humidity, Shiverpaw padded toward where the medicine cats would sit. It felt strange without his mentor being there as well. But it seemed she would be their substitute leader during Shatterstar's absence. It's like I'm a full medicine cat already... the young tom thought to himself, wrapping his unusually long tail around his paws as he sat down. What will the other medicine cats say? What should I say if they ask? Already secretive by nature, it was obvious that they should hide as much of the truth as they could from the prying eyes of other Clans.

Sniffing the air tentatively, the only scents were of WaterClan and FireClan. Even with his uncanny senses, Shiverpaw could find nothing that showed of EarthClan's arrival. Only the fading scents of the other Clan from last moon.


Fadedstar, leader of AirClan

The lithe shape of a small cat could be seen moving through the mist, drawing closer and closer to the Four Streams. With a wave of his long tail, he signaled for the rest of his Clan to fall in as he entered the space. Surprisingly, it seemed only FireClan and WaterClan had come. Keeping an expressionless face, Fadedstar padded steadily toward where the other leaders sat. Even more shocking was Shatterstar's absence. What happened to their deputy? he wondered briefly as he looked over the medicine cat.

[.::ئhatterstaՐ::.]

((Shiffizle! I just remembered that Ivy's at the beach this week, and won't be back till Saterday! Soo...Umm...I suppose Golden could lead in EarthClan with Tidepool and simply say Pridestar was unable to come or something...))

[Tison (ƒαlcσn)]

(by the way, Mystic, they don't know Bane's name xD)

Falconspirit trotted behind his leader, heading to the gathering place he knew so well. This would be his first gathering as deputy, and he was not about to make any mistakes! As he started to see the other cats, his tail dropped a little bit as he looked for Shatterstar. FireClan was here, but...wait, hold on a heartbeat. What was Mysticmemory doing? Was she to speak for her Clan tonight? "This will be an interesting gathering, Fadedstar..." he murmured as he walked towards the deputy's place, which was conveniently right by the leader's place. Hopefully nothing was wrong with EarthClan as well, since they had not appeared yet. Perhaps Pridestar was running a little late...

Odd, the other deputies had not come over yet. Maybe I was supposed to mingle with other cats first...? he thought to himself, Now that I think of it, I've seen deputies talking with other cats. Maybe I should...? Oh, how he hated the insecurity of it all! Why woudn't Glowfang come over here? There he went, blaming it on another cat. Glowfang could do what Glowfang wanted to do, for StarClan's sake! Falconspirit was just getting himself up in a worry over nothing. Nothing! Then why was he still nervous? Twitching his tail, he looked around awkwardly, trying to look busy so no cat would ask him why he was sitting alone.

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[Mysticmemory]

(I know. xD)

Mysticmemory dipped her head in greeting to the AirClan leader. It was obvious that they were confused to see her instead of Shatterstar, but once earthclan arrived, they would find out.

[~ Resonance]

Fadedstar of AirClan

He flicked his ears in silent agreement to his new deputy's words, and then nodded politely in the other two cats' directions. The small cat could sense Falconspirit's anxiety, fluttering below his dusty brown pelt. He decided against consoling the warrior, not wanting to cause him any more awkwardness. He will have to find a way himself, Fadedstar mused, confident in his deputy's abilities.

In the hopes of sparking a conversation, he addressed Secretstar and Mysticmemory. "How's the prey running?" the pale-furred leader asked.

[tigerfur]

Tigerfur

I padded into the clearing along with my Clan. I paused to take a quick survey. I could scent WaterClan and AirClan cats. Of course, I could also see them with their furr glowing silver, and their eyes glinting in the moonlight. Where is EarthClan? Then I noticed the strange looks that some cats were shooting Mysticmemory as she padded, and sat where the leaders usually do. I stifled a sigh of frustartion. This was going to be a long and hard Gathering. How will Mysticmemory explain our situation to the other Clans, that is, if she decides to explain anything at all? I decided to push these troubling thoughts out of my mind and try to socialize a bit. I spotted Stormflare sitting at the back of his Clan, so I padded over. It looked like he could use a little company. Hello Stormflare. How's the pray running in your Clan? I asked politely, while taking a temporary seat next to him.

[Mysticmemory]

Mysticmemory didn't reply to Fadedstar, deciding to wait until the gathering started. "Usually EarthClan are early... I wonder what's wrong..." she whispered to herself. "Should we start without them? Pridestar isn't usually late." she mewed.

(I'm soooo braindead xD)

[Alice_(Hyperactive Pixie)]

Tidepool ducked into the clearing moments after Mysticmemory had spoke to Fadedstar, leading Earthclan behind him. He padded up to Fadedstar, Mysticmemory, and Secretstar. A patrol had returned late, and thus caused them to arrive late to the Gathering. "Sorry, we're late." He apologized.

[~ Resonance]

Fadedstar

The small cat felt a prickle of unease as the EarthClan cats streamed into the clearing. It wasn't their presence that bothered him; no, it was the fact that Pridestar was missing as well. With two leaders missing, one could only guess at the reasons. "Greetings, Tidepool," he mewed, dipping his head. "Nothing wrong, I hope?" Fadedstar asked, shooting a glance at the FireClan medicine cat to show that the question was also directed at her. If there was something wrong, I doubt they'd tell everyone.

Shiverpaw

The black-and-white apprentice's ears pricked as the scent of EarthClan reached his uncanny nose. They were still far away, but rapidly approaching. His hazel eyes widened as he realized that one scent was missing. Pridestar! Pridestar isn't here either! Shiverpaw climbed to his paws, gazing across toward where the cats would appear. As if to confirm that he was right, Tidepool led them in. It seemed their leader, too, had mysteriously disappeared. The tiny cat gulped, wishing that his mentor, Mysticmemory, was there with him and not standing with the other leaders. I wonder what she's thinking--it's always the deputy that takes the leader's place.

Giving himself a quick shake, Shiverpaw forced himself to sit back down, anxious. The place where medicine cats was still empty except for him. So not only are two leaders missing, but the medicine cats are, too!? It was his first time here as a medicine cat apprentice, and he was feeling more awkward than ever.

Stormflare

"Tigerfur," the gray warrior greeted, acknowledging the FireClan she-cat. He was more focused on EarthClan's arrival than the other cat at the moment. Like FireClan, their leader was missing as well. He felt the urge to question the warrior, but he knew he wouldn't get an answer. "Our prey is very bountiful," Stormflare mewed at last. "How about yours? It is Greenleaf, after all."

[Smokey]

Glowfang

Glowfang had come behind right after his leader. I hope this gathering is quick and without problems[/i] his leader had said. Me too, he meowed in agreement. Quietly, he padded off to talk to random cats, asking how the prey was running and questioning apprentices about their training, since the other deputies weren't there when he arrived. While he was talking to a FireClan she-cat, he felt eyes burning into his pelt. The long-furred tom excused himself from the conversation to leave and find the eyes of the one staring so intensely at him. It happened to be Falconspirit, AirClan's deputy. Happily, the creamy tom padded over to him and sat down. Helloo, Falconspirit. Weird that Shatterstar isn't here... along with Pridestar, hm? Glowfang greeted him, smiling, making his teeth 'glow'.

OOC:// Sorry for such a late.. reply. xD

[∂εstΐŋy]

-- Secretstar

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Noticing the increase in murmurs among her clan Secretstar scanned the clearing for something unusual. The discovery was not short in coming. Across the path of stones came FireClan, led not by their leader Shatterstar but by Mysticmemory, the medicine cat. Secretstar gave a noticeable sigh, shoulders sagging and eyes reflecting both curiosity and worry. In that one moment all hope of a quick and smooth going gathering had been dashed.

Mysticmemory walked straight toward the rock and leaped into Shatterstar's place, seeming to pay no attention to the curious looks she was getting. Secretstar, who had regained her calm yet commanding posture, nodded to the cream-colored cat in greeting, her eyes burning with the questions she dare not now ask. Perhaps she would be able to catch the she-cat after the gathering.

Soon enough the cats of the remaining two clans, AirClan and EarthClan, filled the clearing. Once more Secretstar felt her heart sink as EarthClan also walked in without a leader. What an interesting night this will be, she thought in ill temper. Nonetheless she exchanged the same friendly greetings she always did with Fadedstar and Tidepool. "It is going well Fadedstar, I hope to hear it is the same with you, " she meowed without interest. "And no worries Tidepool, EarthClan are not the only late arrivals tonight."

Content with the fact that everycat was present and accounted for, with the exception of those two who seemed to have vanished, Secretstar began to call the gathering to order. "Greetings to cats of all clans!" she yowled in her soft musical tones, delighting in how the murmurs immediately died down to almost complete silence. "I will keep my report short tonight so we can cut to more important matters, " a pointed look was shot to Mysticmemory and Tidepool at that moment. While mentioning that outside her own news could be called rude and out of line, Secretstar would not be letting the two walk out without providing any sort of explanation. It was a pesky trait that had stuck with her from younger days. "Prey has been flowing well for WaterClan, and beyond the occasional disagreement not much deserving mention has happened since we last met, " that said, she stepped back and gestured with her tail for one of the others to take the spotlight.

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[Mysticmemory]

Mysticmemory nodded. "I suppose I'll speak now..." she murmured. "Prey is running well in FireClan, but shatterstar has disappeared. Possibly with a cat far stronger then StarClan- although I honestly don't know. I went into Shatterstar's den to speak to him, and a while after that a cat attacked and took him away. Keep in mind that just because Shatterstar is gone doesn't mean we are weakened." she mewed. She felt proud and loyal- perhaps the way Shatterstar felt during a gathering.

[~ Resonance]

Fadedstar

The pale-furred tom nodded as Secretstar spoke, for AirClan had experienced very much the same. It was Greenleaf; of course the prey would be running well. As the FireClan medicine cat began to spoke, Fadedstar's ears pricked in anticipation. There must be an explanation for Shatterstar's absence, and her taking his place. He turned his head to face her, and as she spoke, his silver eyes widened in shock. "Stronger than StarClan?" the leader echoed, stunned. So was that cat dead or alive? he wondered.

Clearing his throat, Fadedstar managed to speak. "What happened to your deputy then? Is Ravenfeather alright?"