Activity Check !! [A Gathering of Fur]

[ADMIN~!]

Welcome you, welcome him, welcome her, welcome all to the first Undying Ember activity check! The point of this is to weed out the members who don’t post and the characters you don’t want. Unlike some activity checks however, this is one is a little different. Instead of just posting your name and the characters you wish to keep, we‘ll be roleplaying a Gathering within HorizonClan. Just because there’s only one clan doesn’t mean they don’t exist! -grins- So here’s how it’s going down.

oo1. You must write a paragraph of roleplay.
oo2. You must include all the characters you want to keep (in HorizonClan) in your first post. If your cat is sick and in the medicine den, they must be referenced to at least once. They don't have to show up. ;D However, all other cats must show up, including elders and kits. If they need help walking there, then warriors can help, but they do need to show.
oo3. You must list off the characters you want to keep, including rogues, OtherClan and StarClan. Don't include ones not yet made.
oo4. You must state your name.
oo5. You must use the code provided for your first post.
oo6. This thread can continue for as long as we’d like, but to be included in the activity check part of things, you must post by November 1st, 2008

[/b]. If not, your account will be deleted. (Unless the admins have been otherwise notified. However this does give you a week to post.)
oo7. This is a Gathering! This is the time to clarify things, spread rumours and interact with everyone in the clan. Let’s make this interesting. [/blockquote]
The weather is a cool night at the same time of month as us. It's fairly cloudy, but not to the point where the moon is completely covered. For the first time in a while, the ground is dry and the trees aren't dripping. The Gathering takes place on the edge of the large lake which reflects the dark sky. Where they are is a grassy bank surrounded by dead remnants of cattails and twigs. The water is calm and the air is still. The leader and deputy sit on a fallen log just beside the lake, and the medicine cat and medicine cat apprentice are just at the base. The rest of the clan mills about on the grass and rocks, discussing the latest going-ons.
[blockquote][center][size=6][color=yourchoice][b]N[/b]ame !![/color][/size][/center]
[b]Characters&Companions
Here
In
A
Vertical
Line[/b]

[blockquote]Roleplay here in normal text! Change the colour of character dialogue please.[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Moony~!]

Moon

Briarstream&Uvicon
Twistedsong&Scheerox
Giliapaw&Phenixor
Goldenpaw&Flow
Quaintpaw&Yellowbelly
Carcus&..
Ferntail&..

Havenstar shook his puffy fur in resentment. Why, of all nights, did the gathering have to be /tonight/? Narrowing his eyes he easily leaped on top of a large log, looking down at the quickly filling clearing below. Apparently everyone but him was excited. He took in a deep breath then yowled, though it obviously wasn't very necessary. "Let all cats of Horizonclan come before me and rest below Low Log."

Goldenpaw bounded out of the apprentice's den immediately, no companion by her side. Her eyes were a deeper tone than they usually were, but they were brighter than they had been just after Flow had disappeared. Following Goldenpaw was a grouchy Briarstream whom was accompanied also by no companion. Then came Twistedsong who glanced about the clearing with obviously eager eyes, he was excited to see Whisperkit. Though no companion was at his side he knew Scheerox was safe, not in the right mind, but safe in the medicine cat den. Quaintpaw, unlike the others, appeared into the clearing but decided to stay safely at the edge but making sure to save a spot beside him, his body growing rigid every time some one so much as passed by the vacant place beside him. Yellowbelly rested cheerfully on his shoulder, obviously not phased by what the other companions had been bothered with. The final to appear was Giliapaw, clearly not wanting to leave her patients' side. Like, but unlike Yellowbelly Phenixor rested on Giliapaw's shoulder but every once and awhile she would flutter off, then appear again with a slightly disheveled look.

(This occurs a week after the week that our roleplay currently is in.)

[ADMIN~!]

swifteh !!

[/color]
greywhisper&ghost
flamepaw&alistair
pumpkinkit&fisk
pinepaw&lady
oakface&geo
desertrush
icarus

Stretching her mouth into a large yawn, Pinepaw blinked in the darkness with sleepy eyes and pawed at the ground just in front of her. She had been to Gatherings before as a kit, but never as tired as she was now, which was strange to consider. She was older than in the previous ones. She cast a glance to her brother, who, like usual, was laying beside her with a faraway look on his face. He hadn’t been the same since Pumpkinkit fell ill. Pinepaw understood that her brother needed time, patience and love, but strangely enough, she was beginning to miss the old Flamepaw. She missed the old trouble-making creep who ticked her off at the moments she least wanted to see him. It was better than the… depression. Even Alistair, Flamepaw’s normally rambunctious Companion, was unusually subdued on his Soul-Partner’s shoulder. Pinepaw missed Lady desperately.

Oakface padded up behind them, surprisingly silent for an elder. Her Companion, Geo, was trailing her with bright eyes and a spring in his step like usual. Pinepaw had always marvelled at the chipmunk’s great energy, despite his age. “How are you so far?” She mewed, looking at her youngest kits with fond, but sad eyes. She too, was missing Pumpkinkit. Pinepaw shrugged in return and looked down at Flamepaw who had only greeted his mother with the flick of his tail. Oakface continued. “We’re lucky it hasn’t snowed. Those never last very long and are pretty miserable.” Her daughter nodded in agreement. “You two behave yourselves, okay? I’m going to go talk to some others. Night, night.” She walked away, leaving the apprentices by the water’s edge.

Closer to the great log over on the other side of the gathering place sat Greywhisper with Ghost at his paws. After a long day, the deformed kitten was feeling sore and tired, and didn’t really have the energy to bounce around as she normally did. Greywhisper smiled at his Companion, dipping his head to press his nose against the scruff of her neck. Almost wearily, she nudged in closer to his body and shut her eye. Her white and orange-patched fur was bright against the dark green ground and she stood out quite clearly, unlike Greywhisper’s darker grey pelt. The elderly tom was about to settle down when Desertrush, the HorizonClan deputy, approached him with a small smile on her face.
“It’s cold, but a nice night for a Gathering,” she greeted, placing herself just below the Low Log. Once the Gathering started, she could just hop up to her place with ease.

Greywhisper’s eyes warmed and he nodded to her. “’Ice ‘ight,” he agreed. He felt a little more uncomfortable than he normally did. Ghost usually acted as his translator and spoke in discussions. She was asleep though, at his feet. It must have been a fairly hard day for the kitten; she didn’t normally doze off during a Gathering. “’ow you?”

“Goo- oops!” Havenstar was calling for the Gathering to start. “Gotta run. Talk to you later Greywhisper.” Desertrush smiled, an open and friendly look, before jumping up beside her leader and smoothing her features to a serious expression.

[/blockquote]

[Shadow]

Shadow

Darkshadow & Sapphire
Autumnpaw & Crimson

With a deep sigh that almost sounded like a growl rumbling in his chest, Darkshadow pushed himself to his paws and blinked, letting his bright eyes adjust to the darkness. Silently, he tried to get his bearings, glancing around and trying to figure out what was going on. "Sapphire," he whispered, his head tilted upward to where his Companion's nest sat.

The blue jay chuckled, knowing exactly what Darkshadow meant to ask her. "Hello, sleepyhead," she greeted him. "It's time for a gathering!"

Darkshadow immediately stood up, knocking Sapphire's nest by accident in his haste. "Sorry," he apologized, smiling slightly. He lowered his massive shoulder so that she could hop onto it, then carefully made his way out of the warrior's den. With muffled, determined steps he continued on, not meeting the eye of one warrior or greeting one apprentice. Gatherings, he felt, were both a waste of time and a wonderful gift. It would be a great time to learn new things about his Clan, but he hoped no one expected him to be social with everyone.

Autumnpaw poked her head out of the apprentices den, wondering what was going on. Where was everyone going? Pricking her ears, she listened to any conversation she could pick up. She gasped as she heard the word 'Gathering'. A gathering! Were they the same here as they were in ValleyClan? With a lump in her throat, she remembered her last gathering. There she had pledged loyalty to her Clan, leader, and mentor. It had been the most exciting day of her life. Stop it, she once again had to scold herself. You need to leave your old life behind you. HorizonClan is your home now.

"What's happening?" A quiet voice sounded from behind.

Autumnpaw jumped, then realized who it was. She had completely forgotten about her new companion. Guilt clawed her at the thought. She turned around to face Crimson, watching as he slithered across the floor.

"It's... it's time for a gathering," Autumnpaw mewed softly, forcing herself not to stiffen as the snake climbed up her leg and settled around her shoulders. "Our first one here. Should be exciting."

"Yeah," Crimson sighed, sounding less enthusiastic. Autumnpaw's guilt came back in a pang. Ever since she had received him, she had treated Crimson more than an acquaintance than a friend. She made a note to herself to apologize later. Now was not the time. She started forward at a brisk walk. "I wonder what it'll be like," she mused happily, trying to lighten the mood.

Luckily, Crimson picked up on it, seeming to instantly transform. "Should be interesting!" he agreed, excitedly looking around at all the other cats. "What are we supposed to do?" he asked, swiveling his head around as a large warrior padded past them.

"Not sure," she mewed, looking after the large tom as he talked with his Companion, a pretty blue jay.

Darkshadow continued on, stopping to sit before his leader. He curled his tail around his paws and looked up, ready to do whatever was instructed of him.

[Moony~!]

Briarstream, casting a venemous glance at Twistedsong padded across the clearing to sit by Darkshadow, whom she rarely associated with. A bright and innocent smile was on her face as she looked at the tom. Perhaps she should start a conversation? The usually bold she-cat shifted her paws and looked at the ground before meowing, "Nice night tonight. I just hope that it doesn't rain. I mean, that's all that's been happening lately." Her fur was nearly standing on end, and the hairs along her spine pricked nervously. It had been ages since she talked to any ca t except for Twistedsong, Whitebrook, or Pinepaw.

Twistedsong took no notice of Briarstream's near glare, he was oh so close to deciding to move on. He had other cats he had to worry about, just some self-centered she-cat. As he sat down he cringed, he and her had once been very close friends. What had caused this void in their relationship? He cast a glance at Briarstream with an exaggerated look of longing. They hadn't talked since the day Whisper had came to the clan, and he sometimes got the feeling that while he was trying to get to sleep at night she was glaring at him. He wrapped his tail in a large arch around his paws, making sure there was enough room for Whisper to fit in.

Quaintpaw closed his eyes taking in a deep breath, apparently Pinepaw had decided not to sit by him. He looked up at the sky, a wry smile on his maw. It was okay, he was used to just sitting alone with Yow. He cast a smile at Goldenpaw, his near sister, as she sat by her mentor after the deputy, Desertrush, left. Her eyes were slowly turning back to normal, he was glad. It was odd having to watch her mope around.

[keilight]

Kei ;;

Characters&Companions
Sungazer - Saeo
Cloverfire - Sparks
Falconpaw - Rokku
Dapplepaw - Soon-to-be Colorido
Cloud - None
Red - None
Timberdust - None

The old ginger she-cat was fiddling with a leaf underneath her paws. Her crystal blue eyes were troubled, and the normally happy-go-lucky yellow dragonfly wasn't buzzing so happily today. Cloverfire sighed,
"What's with this sickness? And... why did it have to get Sungazer?" she asked Sparks. The dragonfly couldn't answer; no one could. Cloverfire remembered the dark yellow tom, and his golden eyes. They showed emotion, but didn't see. She imagined him, talking with Saeo as he always did. Cloverfire felt a lump in her throat as she imagined the green snake licking Sungazer's ear and leading him around like he always did. Why couldn't it stay like that? Why was the Clan in turmoil? Why us? Cloverfire's thoughts were interrupted by the light brown tabby, speaking with the tiny little white wolf. Rokku's gray hairs were somewhat blowing, as they were lighter than the rest of him. Falconpaw's tail fur was longer than the rest of his fur. Cloverfire chuckled, he was a funny cat. Well... it could have to do with his past. The poor guy...
"Hey Falconpaw!" a voice rang out. Cloverfire recognized Dapplepaw's voice immediately. She swung her head over to see the long-haired she-cat pelting towards Falconpaw. She had so much energy! Her gray fur was fluffed out, and her black top-fur hung lifelessly like always. Her amber eyes glowed with happiness. The former kittypet stared at Cloverfire,
"Is Sungazer sick?" Dapplepaw asked her.
"Yes, Dapplepaw. He's very sick. But don't worry, StarClan will work it out. They always do." The light left Dapplepaw's eyes. Sungazer and Dapplepaw were pretty close.
"Cloverfire. I trust you're well." a deeper voice mewed. Cloverfire jumped back in surprise.
"Falconpaw! I-I'm fine!" Coverfire stammered. He'd spoken to her! "How are you?"
"Good enough." Falconpaw replied simply. Cloverfire nodded, at least one good thing was happening. Falconpaw was being social; something no one thought would happen. The three HorizonClan cats arrived at the gathering, and walked towards the group of cats.

[Wispeh-Kins]

Wispeh

Characters&Companions
Stormfeather & Rain
Whisper

Stormfeathers eyes scanner from one side of the clan to the other, I simple gathering was al, he had been to a few before. His eyes loomed to the sky where the moon had glowed, then glanced to down below where the reflection of it had rippled. "Rain, did you hear about that kit?" He mewed to his companion that was ruffled up in his neck fur.
She lifted her head lazily. "What kit? Oh you mean that Whisper kit?" She spoke softly, trying to stray the sleep from her eyes.
"Yeah" Stormfeather huffed back. "You know we are at a gathering right?" HE mewed his eyes looking up as if he could see the small feild mouse that lay on his neck.
Of Couarse I do" She spoke sharpy as if Stormfeather had just majorly insulted her.
"Then you know this isnt a place to sleep right?" He mewed trying to ignore the ignorance that repeled in the mouse's voice.
"I can sleep where I want!" The mouse huffed while curling back up.

"Well, thats not going to be on me!" He mewed harshly and stood, the mouse tried to scramble to stay on, but was knocked off from her unbalence and sheer gravity.

{Sorry Swifteh for such a lame post, I am at my aunts house and in a rush before I go to the funeral... Otherwise I am probably going to forget.}

[ADMIN~!]

Oakface trotted away from her kits, feeling slight guilt in her heart for the missing one. She focused on her direction elsewhere however, to stop thinking about Pumpkinkit, and her gaze fell on Cloverfire, one of the only cats who had been an apprentice at the same time as her. She approached the senior warrior with a small smile, noting her Companion on her should looking unusually forlorn. Geo, her own chipmunk Companion, was bringing up the rear, chattering nonsense to everyone he passed; when he spoke so quickly and in his own nattering language, no one could understand, not even other Companions who seemed to understand everyone. The elder shook her head bemusedly and sat down beside the ginger she-cat with a small shift of her greyed paws. “Falconpaw,” she greeted the apprentice, before looking to the old she-cat with bright yellow-green eyes. “Cloverfire! Still hanging in there?” Her tone was teasing. “How’s Spiderpaw?”

Pinepaw stared from across the clearing to where her mother sat chatting with Cloverfire, feeling a slight cick feeling in her stomach. She couldn’t just sit here all night, but this was her first Gathering as an apprentice and felt weirdly reluctant to join in. She hadn’t interacted with the other apprentices much as of yet, instead sticking with Flamepaw and Quaintpaw, two toms, she realised with a slight grin, who were incredibly anti-social. Looking down at her brother who was now pawing at a blade of grass rather absent-mindedly, she nudged his shoulder gently, careful of Alistair. The royal-coloured butterfly leaped into the air in surprised, wheeling around to see its attacker, before resting back on Flamepaw’s head with a cross mutter. “C’mon Flamepaw,” she said, standing up. “You can’t sit here like an elder all night." There was no response, so the frustrated sister nipped at his ear. Hard. He yelped and scrambled to his feet, glaring at Pinepaw with a venom that would have made any other cat flinch. “Move you lazy furball,” she spat at him, ignoring his glare. She softened her voice and nudged his shoulder. “I mean it. Go talk to Autumnpaw or something.”

Flamepaw continued to glare at his sister, but when she didn’t move, he slumped his shoulders and obediently wandered over towards Autumnpaw. His tail was dragging and his thoughts were obviously elsewhere, and Pinepaw watched him leave with a worried look. Pumpkinkit… he thought with a pained grimace. He was missing his twin desperately, and didn’t want to be at the Gathering. He had even considered sneaking away, a folly that would not be forgiven by his mentor or mother, but he knew Pinepaw would be watching him the entire time. He was always being watched. For the first time in quite a while, a spark of emotion other than depression prickled at his skin as he reflected all the hours he couldn’t escape the watchful eyes. Either Pinepaw, Oakface, Giliapaw, or another warrior was watching him around the camp, as if he had done something wrong. He hated it, and just wished they would leave him alone. Lost in his thoughts, Flamepaw didn’t notice that he had reached Autumnpaw until he walked headfirst into her shoulder. He made a yowl of surprise, reeling back while Alistair took flight to the sky in indignation. “S-sorry!” He spluttered, laying his ears back in apology.

[Shadow]

Darkshadow looked up, surprised that someone was talking to him. It was Briarstream, a she-cat who he had interacted with a few times. He nodded slowly. "I do as well. Maybe StarClan will be able to hold it off until the gathering is over," he mewed. Angrily thinking of how stupid that had sounded, he fell silent.

Sapphire dug her claws into his shoulder. He sighed softly, knowing what she wanted him to do. She noticed her tension as much as he did, and wanted him to be nice to her. She wanted him to be a friendly social warrior and keep the conversation going. She would probably scold him endlessly about his behavior if he didn't do something. He playfully flicked his ear at her, ruffling her feathers a little, before speaking up.

"So... How have you been? I hear there's a new kit... do you know anything of her?" he asked in his deep mew.

Autumnpaw stumbled a bit, but the real surprise was for Crimson. The little snake almost slid off her shoulder again, and, with a small squeak, he pulled himself back up. Once she was sure he was situated, she looked up at Flamepaw and smiled warmly. "It's okay!" she mewed truthfully with a giggle. "You can probably see our situation.. Crimson and I aren't really used to being with each other this way yet." Her mood lightened. Maybe she'd make a couple of new friends at this gathering!

[Moony~!]

"Yes." Briarstream smiled slightly for the first time in what seemed like ages, "Perhaps they will." She looked at the ground uncomfortably again for a long while before looking back up at the tom, now grinning widely. Wow.. it felt so good to socialize. She saw Autumnpaw and Flamepaw out of the corner of her eye, and she grinned even wider. It seemed like everyone was getting out of their anti-social slump tonight.

Then suddenly, though her smiled remained, her body tensed as Darkshadow mentioned her. Briarstream narrowed her eyes for a few moments which revealed that her smile was now fake. Then she took in a deep breath and pushed it all away. There was no need to be jealous, perhaps she didn't even like Twistedsong anymore, perhaps she was just looking for a reason to be depressed. Her wide fake grin lessened into a more natural smile as she replied, "I've been.. how should I put it? Let's say, I've been okay." She cocked her head to the side, closing her eyes in a smile that she hadn't shown for over four moons.

"The new kit, yes." She opened her eyes and smiled oddly, "Her name's Whisper, apparently Twistedsong-" She motioned her tail in a friendly guesture toward her past and maybe current crush, "-brought her to the camp only a few days ago. I hear she's settling in quite nicely." A rush of gratitude flowed through her veins as she looked at Darkshadow, she felt enlightened.. released. She'd needed a talk like this.

-x-

Twistedsong's eyes searched the clearing for Whisper, but to no avail. He let out a sigh and stood to his paws, he could always just sit by her when she appeared. He made a movement toward Darkshadow but pulled away as he saw Briarstream there. Perhaps, at least for now, it would be best to just stay away. He smiled wryly and searched for some one else to start a conversation with. He sighted a lonely Giliapaw, but decided against visiting her. Though he loved her like a sister, he couldn't risk getting that sickness. If not for his sake, but for Whisper's. He once again scanned the clearing and spotted Cloverfire and Oakface talking vividly. He blinked, then padded toward the two she-cats and when he reached them he meowed awkwardly. "Mind if I join?"

-x-

Giliapaw remained seated in front of the medicine cats' den, her ears swiveled toward the entrance trying to catch the sound of her patients' breathing. If anything, anything at all were to happen to them... She shook her head, No! Stop it! She screamed at her head, Don't even say that! They won't die.. they won't. The scream turned into a low whisper in her head, there was no possible way she would let that happen. No one would die, no one could die. If they did.. She shivered and screamed at her mind again. She had to drop it.. to socialize, she glanced around the clearing hopefully but she realized quickly that truthfully.. no one was open for chat. She saw Goldenpaw leave Greywhisper's side and start to pad toward Falconpaw, whom had been greeted earlier. She watched with great amusement, this surely would be something to savor.

-x-

As Goldenpaw sat next to Greywhisper she kneaded the ground with her paw in silent amusement. It was funny, that as she and Greywhisper sat in uncomfortable silence Ghost was sleeping away her one eye closed and her face looking slightly peaceful. She purred happily then as her mind wandered to Flow she shut her eyes tightly, concentrating on just being the best Goldenpaw she could be. Be as social as she normally would have been, be as kind, be as gentle, so that when Flow returned she would be the same. She took in a deep breath and small smile spreading across her face as she spotted Quaintpaw and Falconpaw. Which should she choose to associate with? She glanced back and forth between them doing 'Ousy Mousy Thrushy Throw.' She ended up thinking, 'And you are not it.' On Falconpaw. She raised her eyesbrows, she's never gotten why when they say 'and you are not it.' I always meant that they were.. well. She'd have to ask Starclan that when she joined them. For now she needed to focus on how she was going to approach Falconpaw.

She twisted her mouth so it puckered in a sour but thoughtful look to the side, then it changed magically into a wide grin. She had the perfect idea! It was simple, blunt, yet very, very effective. She stood to her paws and with an apologetic glance toward Greywhisper she padded toward Falconpaw. When she reached the tom she froze, her muscles tensed and she meowed crisply. "Hi Falconpaw." She paused, gulped then went on. "I'm not leaving until I get a good conversation out of you. So you better.." Her voice wavered as she realized what a crazy look she would probably get. "try.." Though she was done, she remained frozen and braced herself for his response.

[keilight]

Falconpaw blinked. Someone was talking to... him?
"Err... hi." he muttered. He felt heat rising to his cheeks, and realized how stupid he must look. He looked to Rokku for advice, or any help, but the little wolf shrugged and chuckled,
"Come on, Falconpaw! Surely you can talk with someone for longer than two heartbeats." Falconpaw felt his face get hotter than ever. Rokku, who barely talked - ever, had chosen now to insult him? He glared at the tiny white animal, and then turned back around to face Goldenpaw.
"So... err..." he realized that Rokku was wrong. He couldn't manage to hold a conversation. His mind was blank, when it was usually going haywire!
"Um... howareyoudoing?" the sentence was slurred, and Falconpaw nearly bit his tongue. Surely Goldenpaw couldn't decipher that!
"I mean... how are you doing?" the tomcat said it slower this time, but it still was fast and the tone just yelled, "I CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING TO SAY."

-x-

Cloverfire nodded, and chuckled.
"Spiderpaw is coming around wonderfully!" mock-happiness flooded her tone, and Sparks tried to look lively, but with so many sick cats, it was hard to focus on the matters at hand. Deciding to become more lively and mischievous,
"Have you seen the way Spiderpaw looks at Dapplepaw? It's funny, and poor little Dapplepaw is too oblivious to notice a thing!"

-x-

Dapplepaw sighed, and took in the scents of her Clanmates. She saw Flamepaw wandering over to Autumnpaw, and decided she'd join them. Bounding over, the tiny she-cat called,
"Hey Flamepaw! Hey Autumnpaw!"

[ADMIN~!]

Still burning in embarrassment, Flamepaw didn’t meet Autumnpaw’s eyes, even when she cheerfully announced that his blunder was perfectly okay. He just sat a foot away, looking at the ground and shuffling his paws. Here he had a chance to be happy, to make a new friend, yet he was strangely reluctant. Even though the tom knew Pinepaw was watching him from a distant, most likely with that hard, calculating look of hers, waiting for him to spark the conversation into something a little more than a greeting, he just didn‘t want to. Who did she think she was, his matchmaker? Anger flared inside his chest once again and he cast a quick glance towards the heavens before smoothing out his face and taking a deep breath. “Yeah, I heard you got a new Companion!” He mewed with difficulty, forcing himself to relax his stiff posture. He directed his gaze to Crimson, trying not flinch at the sight of a snake. “How do you do?” Then, as Dapplepaw bounded over to them, he laid his ears on the back of his head and mewed in a small voice, “Hi Dapplepaw.”

Oakface grinned at Cloverfire and Sparks, amusement dancing in her eyes at the mention of apprentice love. It was a long time ago, but she could still remember falling for a couple toms back when she was younger than half the forest. She decided to say as much. “I remember being an apprentice and eyeing up those toms like a tasty mouse!” Chuckling, the elder cast a glance to where Dapplepaw was conversing with Flamepaw and Autumnpaw. At the same time, she noticed Twistedsong ambling towards them quite awkwardly. “It was—oh hey Twistedsong. How are you… tonight… ahhh…” The she-cat, once a queen and avid matchmaker, had known, like the rest of the clan, that he fancied Briarstream. The two were usually seen sitting together at Gatherings, but not tonight. Briarstream was… talking to another tom. Oakface smirked, though not unkindly, and asked, “Fate biting you in the tail?”

[keilight]

Dapplepaw halted by the two, and exclaimed,
"Autumnpaw! You're companion! It's so cool!" she bent down to examine Crimson.
"How are you?" she asked him politely. Hoisting her furry body up, her eyes darkened, "I hope I'll get my companion soon." she murmured. With everyone being so busy, she hadn't had a chance to go and receive her companion from StarClan yet. Brightening, yet again, she asked,
"How are you all?"


-x-


Cloverfire chuckled at Oakface's last statement. The old she-cat was fun to be around.
"Twistedsong," was all she said, nodding kindly. Cloverfire remembered her first crush on a tom. He'd died in a horrible accident, and Cloverfire was crushed. Although he already had a mate, Cloverfire, er... Cloverpaw loved him. He was a warrior, though, and she was only an apprentice at the time. Now, so many moons later, she couldn't even remember the tom's name. It wasn't really true love, it was just a crush.

[Shadow]

Darkshadow blinked at the she-cat's odd behavior. She seemed to be thinking about something- someone- else. It was most likely Twistedsong, the two were usually sitting together, but now they couldn't be farther apart. However, he could tell Briarstream was- at least a little- happy. What am I doing that's helping her? he wondered, confused. Shrugging off his thoughts, he realized that he once again had to continue the conversation.

"There seem to be a lot of new arrivals in HorizonClan, especially on the younger side," he mused. "It's good. Have you met... Dapplepaw yet?" he asked, stumbling over his words a bit. "Already she acts like she's been in the Clan her whole life." Despite his attitude, he chuckled a little. "Spiderpaw and I found her by the stream, as a kittypet. She has some... promising potential." Once again, he let his thoughts stray to her mentor. Was he trusted enough to get his first apprentice soon?

By his side, he heard Sapphire chirp in amusement. He realized with surprise that this was the most he'd talked since explaining Clan life to the eager little she cat once called Dapple. He knew his companion was happy, but his thoughts were torn. He knew it would make the blue jay overjoyed if he transformed from the unsocial, reserved cat he was to a happy go lucky talker, but he didn't know if he could do it. One step at a time, he thought to himself. She should appreciate that I'm trying.

Autumnpaw blinked, swishing her tail back and forth across the ground. Flamepaw's behavior was... forced. She found herself wishing to help him, he looked so unhappy, but she had no idea how.

Crimson nodded on her shoulder, flicking his tongue in and out of his mouth in excitement. "Nice to meet you," he greeted the apprentice cheerfully. He turned his head sharply as another she-cat approached.

"Hi!" Autumnpaw mewed, shifting her paws slightly. She threw a confused glance at Dapplepaw, then, once she had her gaze, at Flamepaw. Did her fellow apprentice know Flamepaw? Were her suspicions true, that he was acting oddly, or was he, for some strange reason, always this way?

Crimson bounced happily, and for once, Autumnpaw didn't shudder. "Thank you!" he hissed.

"I'm sure you will soon!"Autumnpaw mewed, trying to lighten the mood. "It doesn't take that long, I'm sure Havenstar will have time to take you soon. We can get used to our companions together!" she suggested with a smile.

"I'm sssure that won't take that long, either," Crimson chuckled.

[Moony~!]

Goldenpaw nearly laughed at the way he seemed to be having trouble. Though she managed to supress it into a nearly unintelligable giggle, she didn't want to make him feel bad. She probably would've been much worse if a tom waltzed up to her and meowed that he was going to stay until they had had a good conversation. She giggled once more at the thought then smiled brightly at Falconpaw, laughter still on the tip of her tongue as she replied. "Imokay." She had done it intentionally, it only seemed right to mess up just like he did. Even so, she blushed as she slurred the words together and jumped at her mistake in strange surprise before quickly fixing it and meowing nearly as fast, "I'm okay." It came out as a low mutter and as Giliapaw watched she could've sworn to Starclan that she saw a red tint under Goldenpaw's golden colored fur. Goldenpaw kneaded the ground and thought of something to say to move the conversation along. Now's no time to get shy! She scolded herself, You started this conversation, so keep it going. She looked up at the sky and pondered whether to say something about the weather, but as she looked around she realized that's what everyone without an idea for a topic was saying. She shook her head. No! I won't be like everyone else, this has to be different. She raked her paws against the ground angrily then grinned widely meowing artistically, "If there was any she-cat in this clan you could have, no matter her age, who would it be?" This would certainly start a conversation, of course she expected him to say some one like one of the female warriors. "Promise I won't tell." She teased smiling. She certainly was being very nosey with Falconpaw, perhaps it was because she was anxious.

-x-

Twistedsong smiled and shot back at Oakface, "No, just my tale's decided to start biting my fate back for once." He wasn't sure if Oakface, or Cloverfire for that matter, would get what me meant. Truthfully, he didn't care. He had just said something that made /sense/ and /he/ had said it and it actually /helped/ him deal with the current Briarstream situation. His eyes widened with pride, maybe he wasn't so dumb after all. He glanced at Briarstream to see her smiling and chuckling at Darkshadow. For once, he didn't feel the sudden urge to pad over to Darkshadow and rip his throat out. He felt happy for Briarstream, maybe even thankful that she hadn't cared that he'd moved on. He'd talk to her later on tonight, clear things up. Maybe ask her to go hunting tomorrow.. just as friends again. He turned back toward Oakface and Cloverfire, a slight smirk on his face, "See, she seems to be fine. And so am I, I guess we can't always be stuck together like our fur's been dipped in tree sap all the time."

-x-

Briarstream cocked her head to the side and repeated, "Dapplepaw?" The name sounded familiar, but she was dumbfounded. No. She hadn't met Dapplepaw. Perhaps she'd been sulking around too much to have really had the time. She glanced around the clearing for some cat she didn't recognize. There were plenty she hadn't ever seen, and plenty she just hadn't seen in a while. She guestured toward Autumnpaw in a guess, "Is that Dapplepaw?" She had completely forgotten to answer his question in her curiousity. She blinked blankly. She definitely should know more than half the clan, but as she scanned the clearing over half of them were unfamiliar. Her ears pressed low to her head and she supressed the urge to hiss. She would have to wait until later to straighten her life out. Love made things so complicated.

[Z]

Z!!

Kuro&No one currently

-skip roleplay, due to having no characters in HorizonClan-[

[Kisa-luff<3]

Kisa

Nightstorm and Avena
Raindust and Tsuki

Nightstorm sat quietly, tail curled neatly around her paws at the far left of the gathered cats. Having spent so much time alone in the dark cove it felt strange to be back around so many cats at once. The stench of them all overwhelmed her, engulfed her, closed in on her in every possible way. StarClan cats had a faint scent of their former selves, only able to be traced by those with the most trained of noses. The StarCove itself held no scent, all smells were washed away by the waterfall's spray.

Nightstorm eyed Avena, her ever faithful counter part carefully, the bird was getting thinner. Much thinner than a humming bird should be. It frightened Nightstorm. The ancestors had spoken of terrible omens that would come to pass, omens that they could not discern the meaning of. Yet they gave no answers to the strange weather. Nightstorm glanced quickly over the other companions they seemed to be afflicted by the atmosphere, even the clan cats were feeling it. Stricken by strange diseases and she had been too busy with StarClan to help. Avena chirped sharply bring Nightstorm to her senses as Havenstar called the meeting to order.



Raindust edged through the crowd of cats, a nervous Tsuki at her heels. The small fox had developed small sores along her front legs and kept glancing around as if the world was out to get her. Raindust glanced down at the fox "Are you all right?" she whispered calmly stroking Tsuki's back with her tail. The white fox flinched at the touch looked up at Raindust with wide frightened eyes. "I-I"m fine." she rasped back shakily nipping at her left leg. "You need to quit that you're going to make it worse and then we'll have to stay in Nightstorm's den." Raindust mewed in a lecturing tone trying to hide the fear that had creeped into her. /What is going on?/ she thought watching Tsuki gnaw at her legs in a nervous fashion. /What could possibly do this to her? The one who always seemed to be so held together./ Raindust turned her gaze to the rest of the companions many seemed to be acting as strangely as Tsuki. The calico sidled over to the fox and slipped her tail around her, instead of flinching Tsuki moved closer and slipped her own bushy tail around Raindust glad to have the comfort of her dearest friend.

[keilight]

Falconpaw felt heat rising towards his cheeks faster than he could hold it back. He swore that even through his light brown fur, you could see the redish pink color. Kneading the ground with his paws, Falconpaw let his mind go crazy, hoping that it would think of the she-cat he loved most. The only cat he could think of was Goldenpaw, and he knew he liked her. A lot. But, she probably didn't think of him that way, so he couldn't out and say it. He glanced around, and saw Dapplepaw and Cloverfire. Then he saw Autumnpaw and Briarstream. He faced Goldenpaw again, and opened his mouth, but then closed it. He could confess his love, but how could anyone love him? He'd trained with rogues, and he did it willingly. Of course, he left them willingly too. His parents tried to kill the Clan cats. Then, he remembered. He'd told Rokku who he wanted to be with. He whipped around to look at the small animal, but it didn't look like he was planning to tell anyone. He could say Briarstream, because it looked like a lot of toms liked her. Then again, it was plainly obvious that Spiderpaw liked Dapplepaw. To his knowledge, Cloverfire didn't have a mate, and he didn't know about Autumnpaw. But... he didn't know about Goldenpaw either.
"Um... er....." was all he managed to say. He whispered Goldenpaw's name, but he couldn't even hear it. Goldenpaw sure couldn't.

-x-

Dapplepaw grinned at Crimson, then spoke,
"I don't know what I feel, but I don't think that I could hate my Companion. It's a part of me, right? It would be odd to have something trailing around you, I suppose."
She glanced at Flamepaw. He was acting rather strange today. She wondered if Autumnpaw realized it too.

[Moony~!]

Goldenpaw frowned slightly then smiled, "It's okay if you don't want to tell." Obviously, just as Falconpaw had thought, she hadn't heard his low mutter. Well, that was one topic down, now only three million topics she still had to think up to go! Narrowing her eyes in thought she listened, trying to hear something that would give her ideas. Then she heard the low chattering and something munching on an acorn. She whipped around to look behind her, but nothing was there. Her ears that were pricked flattened in a slightly depressed manor. So, Flow hadn't returned. She blinked slowly taking it in, trying to shield herself from the disappointment. It had been her imagination. She turned back to Falconpaw, a slight but partially irritated smile on her face before she saw Rokku and meowed, "How's Rokku? I hear a lot of companions have been acting strangely lately."

[golden]

Honeywhisker !!

Honeywhisker&Zane

Honeywhisker groaned upon hearing Havenstar's yowl.

"I'm not in the mood for a gathering" She though grumpily, her tail dragging through the dirt.

Her ears rang as she made her way slowly to the log, she felt a bit light headed so she stayed on the edge of the crowd away from the romping kits and chattering cats.

Zane plopped down next to her, his ears sagging. Seeing his beloved soul mate so down and depressed made him sad too.

"Pray tell, what's wrong Honey?" he said in a soft voice, his nose twitched in dissapointment when he got nothing but a deep sigh in reply.So instead of pestering her with questions he simply snuggled up close to her and waited for the gathering to commense.