[ti]Open[/ti]Colors and Promises

[M'Lady]

Her warriors were silent as they moved behind their leader, their pawsteps hardly audible upon the thickening layer of snow that pelted the forest floor. She was at the head of the pack, though she left her camp well guarded with her fiercest of cats, and wove through the night as easily and gracefully as a needle pulled carefully with thread. The world was a flurry of ice and snowflakes, speckling her dark smoky pelt, and yellow eyes shone warm and bright in the monotonous reality. It wasn't long before they made it to the gathering site, the place she'd dubbed herself as Moon Maw. She paused for a moment as she stepped into the clearing, her eyes flickering around to view this place in the world that held so much sorrow and so much hope in the same spot. Her gaze moved down, eyes shutting as she sent a brief prayer of gratitude to Starclan for this snowy night, it would cover up the scuffles of moons past. She didn't want to think about it tonight, the gaps in the ranks of the clans or the scent of blood still fresh in her mind. Smokystep came up beside her, nudging her lightly with his nose to her cheek in a silent question. She left out a soft breath, which clouded in the frigid air of the night, and then gave her son the smallest of smiles. He dipped his head in understanding, green gold eyes shining with worry but he didn't say a word. 

Owlstar moved forward, leaping up onto the silvery monsters, her claws cracking the ice that would've slipped her had she not been a creature of utmost care and elegance. She settled in the spot she had claimed seasons ago, when they first entered these territories. The first time a leader had sat upon these carcasses, it had been her. She claimed this land for the clans, and she was the only one left that still led them. Now that she thought about it, none of her friends or family that traveled with her from the mountains were even still here. She gazed out upon her warriors, that soft smile still on her face, not even dampening when a cold snowflake nipped her nose. So much has happened since then, hasn't it? Her eyes flickered towards Silverpelt, which twinkled above despite the weather of the night, reassuring her that their ancestors were still watching over them. Spiderfang, Lionbelly, Rushstar, Doeheart, Hawkstrike, Smokykit, Graykit, even old Mothstar. Were they waiting for her? She closed her luminous eyes, fur an inky black and dappled with snowflake stars. It wouldn't be too long now, and then this feeling in her chest would go away. She's seen enough for more than one lifetime. Her thoughts were interrupted at the sound of other cats arriving, and she opened those startling eyes once more, turning her warm gaze to the entrance of the clearing. Who would be next, this time? She wondered who would be first after she was gone. She sincerely doubted Rookheart would be able to corral her warriors into getting here as early as she brought them. At this, her whiskers twitched in amusement, and hoped for this to be a simple, common gathering. 
Oh how she would be wrong. 

[mewmehh]

Silver starlight twinkled faint flecks against the deep maroon and jet stripes of Sabletail's dusk-licked pelt as he strode forward with intent purpose. Tonight was akin to one a pawful of moons ago, and different as well. Once more, he was leading his clan to their moonly meeting with Ivyclan and Mothclan, and despite his churning thoughts, there was a skip to his step and glimmer in his eyes.

So much had happened over the past moon and through much heartache, love had come to sprout up and flourish in Mistclan. Bearstar had been blessed with a healthy, large litter of kits and had managed to find her own slice of happiness in Goldenmane's company. And Sabletail himself had been graced with a gift, one bittersweet albeit, but with a hint of sweetness, he could overlook the bitter bits for now; he had more kits, more sweet daughters to fill up the gap that Petalpaw had left in his heart. While he longed and prayed that she was safe and content among their enemies, comfort in such a concept was shortlived and bore deep wounds into his heart. Wounds now dressed by the beaming faces of his half clan kittens.

While the idea of having his family split worked to bruise his heart's scars, he could take joy in the company of the ones he still had with them, joy in Bearstar's approval to seek the rest out, and joy in the hope of someday reuniting with them all, be it in their lifetimes or among the stars. All his thoughts swirled around in a fuzzy haze within his head as he pushed into the Moon Maw's clearing, where the Silverpelt rippled defiantly despite the cloudy, snow-speckled sky, their iridescence putting even the snow crystals' to shame. Humming softly, his amber gaze flashed to Owlstar and his body felt warm at her gentle expression. Tonight would be a good one, he ignorantly thought to himself in glee. This moons, they would show they had all bounced back.

[Miss Tactical]

The black tom’s muscles rippled under his pelt as he lead MothClan to the gathering. They took a longer route this time around, wanting to avoid all random strips of bracken and leaves just in case there were more traps. He looked back at Batstrike giving him a firm nod. ”You will sit below where the other deputies sit. He mewed firmly. He recalled the time that Brackenstar had to fill in for Mothstar and Owlstar gave him a hard time about joining the leaders when he wasn’t one himself yet. A coy smile spread across his features knowing that wouldn’t be him today. He would sit where he was destined to sit this moon. He watched as his warriors headed towards the other clans and he froze. ”Do not mention Brackenstar. They don’t need to know. He mewed firmly.

They didn’t need to know that Brackenstar had been captured, he didn’t want them to think MothClan was full of bee brains and weak cats, even if Brackenstar was just doing his job, protecting his own. He spotted Owlstar and as he made his way closer bunched up his hind legs and leaped. His claws dug deep into the ice before he hoisted himself up giving his dark pelt a deep shake to keep warm. That was one thing that he hated about leaf-bare his short fur made it quite miserable some nights. He cleared his throat before looking at Sabletail, who appeared to be subbing in for Bearstar, and then to Owlstar. He raised a brow curious about what was happening in MistClan that Bearstar could not be here.

”Owlstar, Sabletail.” He mewed firmly giving a twitch of his whiskers in greeting. His eyes scanned the clearing, it still felt rather uncomfortable here. SO many deaths. His eyes narrowed slightly as he looked towards a very specific spot, the spot where Mothstar died, the spot where Brackenstar trusted him and made him his deputy. He sighed softly. After this gathering I am going to come find you he thought to himself. He had a plan, and he would make it work no matter what the cost. Even his life.

[Storm]

Batstrike
MothClan | Warrior Temp. Deputy | Tom | 22 Moons | Heterosexual

Batstrike strode confidently behind Eveningblaze.  The black tom held his head high, his clanmates behind him often catching flashes of his sharp yellow eyes.  His white paws delicately followed the path the real deputy lead, but it didn't mean the rest of the clan would.  He checked back on the felines in tow regularly, hoping to catch any apprentices wandering to far from the group before disaster struck.  

The black and white cat snapped to attention as he was spoken to, but relaxed as he realized it wasn't a warning.  He returned a nod in response and paused with the tom as the clan entered the clearing.  He thought nothing of the action, just that Eveningblaze wanted to know where everyone went to sit. His words sent a rush of adrenaline through his heart which felt like a flash of lightening.  He was right, the others didn't need to know, but the thought still made him anxious.  If they did know they'd question MothClan, push back the borders that he was now in charge of holding, Eveningblaze wouldn't be able to leave to find Brackenstar with the additional pressures at home.  Hopefully no one asked too many questions.  

He shook his fur and the dread away before padding after the tom and taking his place below him.  Batstrike did his best to act like he belonged with the other deputy, sitting proudly with his long tail neatly curled around him.  It was strange though, knowing this really wasn't his place.  Maybe one day, but not like this.  

[Mama]

Lilydawn, Medicine Cat Apprentice of Ivyclan

A grey brown tabby made her way behind her mentor, a smoky cat named Beetleshade, and the leader, a smoked queen by the name of Owlstar. With Rookheart as the new deputy, not smoked like the others however just a simple black and white, Lilydawn stuck out more then she'd like to. Her thin, velvet pelt shivered in the cold, and every few pawsteps she would stumble and fall, however getting back up a few moments later to keep pace with the others.

Blinking towards the monsters... She saw that oddly, Brackenstar wasn't there. Had he lost his lives that sudden? She didn't get any signs from Starclan telling her about another leader death... So where was he? Without poking her nose anymore in her leader's, and the other leaders business. With a shaky tail flick, she sat down in the other medicine cat area, remembering the spot from the last gathering.

Redbird, Warrior of Ivyclan

It had been almost a moon since the banishment of his mother, Waspfang, and Redbird was still recovering. Would he every fully become normal? Probably not, but he would at least live happier now he didn't have to always watch for an attacker. The scarred tom limped behind a few other cats, his single eye glancing around before he parted from the group and headed to the main clearing. Even now he still thrned a few heads, with his patchy pelt, awkward front leg and torn you face, who wouldn't take a second glance? In the meantime, though, his eyes half looked for a clanmate, half looked for the Mistclan medicine apprentice he had made friends with after Blood Moon.

Cowpaw, Apprentice of Ivyclan

Cowpaw had been wanting to go to a gathering for some time now, however after the recent attack she was too nervous to go last moon. So, this time, she had finally gained the courage to go and check it out, especially with the fact the last one had gone well. The wavy long furred apprentice weaved her way gracefully through the crowd, fluid and graceful like water, and her two caramel eyes danced around to see if she could catch the attention of any fellow apprentices that wouldn't mind striking up a conversation with her.

Falconstrike, Warrior of Mistclan

The large and bulky color point made her way through tbe crowd, making sure not to step on any smaller cats and pardons such as "sorry, sweetie!" And "Watch out, Tulip!" Were heard from the chocolate and cinnamon feline. Her paws crunched through the snow, and after a few moments of trekking she had taken a spot in the center of the clearing, with her tail curling around herself and the tip twitching excitedly.

[gingersnapsdacat]

Tickpaw of MothClan
    Tickpaw ran at full speed, leaping along beside her father. She would never admit it, but there was a sense of pride that came with being the daughter of a leader, even if that leader was really just the deputy that was filling in because the leader had been snatched. 
"Papa, are you going to speak in Brackenstar's place tonight?" she asked, although her mew was quickly drowned out by the sounds of the gathering. It was no matter though, as the young tortioseshell was quickly distracted, scurrying about to see who she could talk to. Locking onto the first apprentice-aged cat she saw, Tickpaw padded right up to a black and white she-cat. 
"Hi there! I am Tickpaw!"

Daisypetals of MistClan
    The fluffy tomcat strode into the gathering, a smile tacked to his face, as usual. He would check up on his fellow medicine cats, he would say hello to Redpaw, everything would be just fine and dandy. Of course, whenever he was at a gathering, he could not help but remember that battle. The battle that changed his life. contrary to his classmates, that night changed his life for the better. Thanks to that night, he realized that he had the talents required to be a medicine cat. 
His thoughts of the blood-stained moon dissipated as he made his way around his classmates and others, focused on only the sight of a ginger IvyClan tomcat. 
"Redpaw!" 

[M'Lady]

Yellow eyes flickered in confusion as instead of Brackenstar and Bearstar, Eveningblaze and Sabletail were the ones that joined her that moon. Her gaze narrowed slightly, the fur in her smoky mane bristling in faint annoyance, but then she looked out upon that warriors and apprentices that joined them this moon, and her entire demeanor softened. They didn't need bickering tonight, just when everything was getting back to normal. Though her confusion still flickered in her mind, she figured that neither of the deputies had become leaders quite yet. They'd be desperate to prove themselves, and an air of sadness would coat their warriors. No, they were filling in, but why? Why were both of them gone this moon?

Owlstar finally turned to acknowledge the two, her head held high in her proud, regal manner as always.
"Eveningblaze, Sabletail." She greeted softly, no question in her voice, they certainly wouldn't be leaders. "I would like a calm gathering this moon," The leader hummed, glancing up to where Silverpelt glittered above, joined by thousands of snowflakes on that frigid night. "So I will not question why you are here in your leaders' place, though I do admit it bothers me that neither of them have shown up this moon. I trust that you'll warn the rest of us, should we all be in danger, when your turn comes around for announcements." The smoky queen finally dipped her head, before swirling around to face the crowd once more, her clear voice tearing through the film of soft chatter.

"Cats of all clans, I welcome you here tonight on this full moon!" She called, her voice golden and laced with warm honey. "Despite the seasonal struggles of leafbare, Ivyclan has yet to face adversity! With open hearts, I would like to welcome Bubblepaw, Dropletpaw, Ripplepaw, Trufflepaw, Morelpaw, Splashpaw, and Puddlepaw to their first gathering as new apprentices!" She paused for a moment as a cheer went up from her warriors, her smile warming even the coldest of nights here in the snow. Yellow eyes shined, as she waited for the noise to go down, and she continued speaking.

"We have no new kits to speak of this moon, but those in our nursery are growing up strong, and I hope to share their names with you next moon." Owlstar mused, her eyes flickering softly in the light. Only then did she glance towards the, deputies, that stood on either side of her (it was only right she'd be at the forefront in the middle after all), inviting one of them to speak with her even golden gaze.

[Miss Tactical]

The black tom didn’t need a second invitation before stepping forward slightly ahead of Owlstar. He didn’t even seem the least bit phased. He looked at the gathered cats below, some confused to see two deputies instead of two leaders. He gathered his thoughts just briefly thinking of what to say. He knew Owlstar wanted a peaceful gathering, so he was rather shocked when she didn’t bring up the fact that MothClan was pushing borders. They had slowed down since the disappearance of their leader, but they were hunting on any extra strips of land that they could get. Leaf-bare would be rather harsh, he was aware of it. Some of them would not see new-leaf and that itself was a hard pill to swallow. He sighed softly before parting his jaws to speak.

”MothClan welcomes many to it’s ranks. He started. ”Tickpaw, Weevilpaw, Mantispaw, Agavepaw, Cactuspaw, Hornpaw, Flypaw, Scorpionpaw, Carrotpaw, Tinypaw, and Susanpaw to the apprentices den. MothClan is growing strong and we look forward to seeing them grow. He mewed. Puffed out his chest slightly, clearly proud that his own kits were now training to be warriors Despite all the hardships they had faced as of recently they were certainly growing strong. ”Stormycloud has blessed us with three lovely kits I’m sure will make fine warriors. He mewed. Eveningblaze was focusing on the growth of MothClan, perhaps then the clans would be less likely to push back on the borders.

”We have some recent additions, Birchpaw and Cottonpaw of MistClan have found their way to MothClan and are training under MothClan’s watch, they have made the warrior pledge under Brackenstars watch and we look forward to see what they will do. We also welcome Rosepaw, despite warrior age will train as an apprentice until she learns our ways. Eveningblaze wasn’t happy about the outsider joining their ranks but he supposed one more able body to help fight and hunt wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Now that he had all the good news out of the way he supposed it was time for the not so good wasn’t it.

”MothClan would also like to announce we are closing our borders. We will not be taking anymore run aways or strays… He mewed bitterly. The influx of other clan cats joining and outsiders was getting to be too much. ”We would also like to share to be careful of ANYTHING that may look out of place. Two-legs are putting weird monsters with kitty pet food in them, they trap you and you get taken away in an even bigger monster. I am sad to say, Russetblaze, Milkberry, Ruststripe, and Susanpaw are currently among the missing. We do not let any apprentices out without warriors, I suggest you do the same. “ With that eveningblaze stepped back. He wasn’t willing to admit Brackenstar was one of them, he didn’t need the clans trying anything while he was away.

[Fireflake]

Pebbleshade's long fur prickled as he stalked into the Gathering place-- Moth's Maw-- and he shivered. It's cold here, he tried to rationalize. The truth wasn't much more complex. It was the first time he'd looked at the place since the battle under the red moon and he couldn't shake thoughts of that night. The only reason he'd come in the first place, other than being told to, was because he worried he'd never come again if he didn't tonight. Redbird caught his eye and he looked away uneasily despite his fairly recent acceptance that cats from other clans weren't always his enemies. He needed a nice simple time tonight to put thoughts of blood and struggle to rest.

Buckleap's reasons were less dramatic. He'd been chosen, and hunting never tired him out enough for him to refuse a Gathering, so he had come. It was always good to hear the clan news at least second-hand instead of at the end of a long line of whispers and rumor. Oh, and seeing some cats outside of his clan could never hurt. Peering up at the monster, his confusion pricked a long ear. He could account for Bearstar's absence, but was that Eveningblaze up with the leaders?

Mantispaw radiated excitement as she padded into her first Gathering, only walking because her paws had grown too tired to run or hop around. Admittedly, the young she-cat herself was tired, but her fast-beating heart powered her on. "Wow!" was the first thing she said, and then, "I imagined there being more cats here. Everyone talks like they bring whole clans."
This didn't put a damper on her thrill. "This is even better! I might get to talk to all of them."
Whether or not they would get a chance to reply was a different story.

The MothClan apprentice glanced with glimmering yellow eyes at her father on the monster, then launched into her mission. Divide, conquer, and chatter. Oh, and tune into what the leaders said when she got the chance. As she weaved her way over to the IvyClan cats, Eveningblaze began. Her chest swelled as her pride steadily grew, building up to her name with each of her littermates, then deflated rapidly.

"Traitors," Pebbleshade grumbled under his breath. He'd never known Birchpaw and Cottonpaw personally, only hearing that they'd been a pawful for their parents in the nursery, but he felt the insult personally anyway. That was all of MothClan, in his mind. All traitors and outsiders. Pebbleshade's fur bristled as the black tom up there reminded him there were worse outsiders. He hadn't been able to protect his clanmates during the blood moon attack and he hadn't been able to protect himself when the Twoleg half-monster attacked him seasons ago, but his clan didn't need to know that. He would protect them this time in any way he had to.

Buckleap's eyes flitted to each cat as their new ranks were announced, only taking a moment to locate them, with nothing better to do. They landed on Rosepaw and he blinked a few times. Tallulah Rose. She'd been one of the first cats to inform him about the area, back when he was still a loner. A kittypet, last time he saw her, though that was admittedly a while ago. He offered a shallow nod to her but his attention was diverted by the names spoken next. So Eveningblaze was up by the leaders, Rustpaw and Milkpaw were in the twolegplace, and here he was staring at Tallulah Rose in MothClan. How things had changed.

Mantispaw swallowed and flicked her tail-tip. "And me, Dad!" she yowled, at least having the good sense to wait until Eveningblaze had stopped speaking. She looked around to the cats gathered and went on, "I'm Mantispaw. I was apprenticed recently too!"
And there it was, step one completed. She had introduced herself to everyone already.

[mewmehh]

Fiery tabby and white fur was bright with freckles of snow and star specks under the Silverpelt expanse as Longwing relaxed into the clowder of cats collected from the ranks of all three clans. Despite all the hubbub regarding the last few moons, the Ivyclan tom had mourned and moved on in due pace- thus was the life of a warrior to live and die for their clan after all- and found comfort in the space honorably called the Moon Maw. It was a safe space, one where all three clans were once one and united and it was befitting as a Gathering location, Longwing concluded. With a warm purr rumbling in his throat, he set his gold and aquamarine eyes to study which cats had come to the Gathering this moon.

As a fiery red pelt flashed before him, he practically choked. "Tal-" he started, but froze as a streak of blue fur zipped past Tallulah Rose's curly pelt. "Rosepaw Rosepaw, look! That's where the leaders stand!!" Carrotpaw’s voice was a bit wobbly, but full of comfortable familiarity and this struck a chord in the tall Ivyclan warrior. Longwing felt his brows knit into a small scowl of annoyance, a foreign expression upon his usual gentle face. ’Rosepaw?’ Dear Starclan, you must be kitting me.

The lean tom found himself standing as Rosepaw’s exotic emerald eyes scrawled across the clearing before locking with his and before he ever realized it, Longwing was standing next to the supposed ‘Mothclan apprentice(?).’ He furrowed his brow as Rosepaw beamed, all aglitter as she gawked at the Ivyclan leader where Carrotpaw had pointed. "Oh, Owlstar's wonderful, Carrotpaw. She even invited me to her clan once, to see my kits." She cast the tall warrior a sideways glance before adding, "Although, they probably don't know that."

Longwing merely clicked his tongue. "Their mother is Blossompool; always has been." As he spoke, he narrowed his gaze at Rosepaw and added, "Though I hardly find this to be a conversation for apprentices' ears." She simply shot him a twisted, teasing grin and his face screw up in a scowl. Only a second passed before a creamy fawn form dashed by, skidding to an elegant halt beside the angora warrior. "Daddy, I'm coming to steal this one, okay? His fur’s nice and feathery and I want to make friends." Bubblepaw announced before pulling the blue apprentice crying off into the crowd, leaving Rosepaw and Longwing to their pettiness. The she-cat arched a brow at the tom. "Been busy?" Longwing flustered with a curled lip. "Yes! Blossompool is my mate after all," he snapped with a short growl, catching all those within earshot off guard. It was a rare day when the warrior was testy.

His snappy response caught a look from Bellfeather as the blue warrior had been passing by, shooting the bickering pair a sympathetic smile. ”Know each other?” she mewed in a soft tone, as if attempting to quell the tension. "Old friends," Longwing simply replied, earning a knowing smirk from the curly red she-cat. "Friends? I didn't think we were still those after all this time," she countered smugly. "That's what 'old' implies, you bee-brain." His comment pulled a mock-offended gasp from the younger cat as Rosepaw perked up. "Who are you calling a bee-brain? At least I'm not a mouse-heart like you!" Longwing gave a quick roar of exasperation, though short-lived as he tried to retain his composure. Bellfeather simply gave a small chuckle before the voice of Owlstar signaled for chattering to cease and the smoky she-cat kicked off the Gathering.

Everything was relaxed as Bellfeather settled into a grassy spot by Carrotpaw, multitasking listening to the leader and substitute leaders along with comforting her remaining kit; even despite recovering from the initial shock of being separated from his brother, Carrotpaw faced rather frequent episodes of fear regarding Susanpaw. Luckily the company of family and the excitement revolving a grown cat joining the ranks of the apprentices worked well to keep Carrotpaw focused and in higher spirits. The blue she-cat twitched her ears as she listened with a warm expression as Owlstar spoke of new apprentices and the Mothclan warrior glanced to the cream she-cat who had spoked with her son earlier, recognizing her as one of the apprentices listed. The silky cat, despite her socialite-eqsue demeanor, sat rather close to the monster where Owlstar and the deputies stood and Bellfeather wondered if perhaps she were being trained by Owlstar or Rookheart.

Next came Mothclan’s news and the queen felt a surge of pride as her mate’s deep voice penetrated the chilly air and carried across the clearing from his perch. He kept things guarded, as calculated as he was, and it worked to keep the air light as Owlstar intended. Still, the lingering threat of the Twolegs’ interference was brought up with the naming of the missing cats and while the other two clans perhaps didn’t yet feel the gravity of the situation, it was certain upon the faces of all the members of Mothclan- sans the giddy new apprentices- that they were well aware of the true horror of the situation.

”I see. Mothclan’s must have their paws full then this moon.” The lilting, warm tune of Sabletail’s voice atop the lofty perch was quite different in comparison to Eveningblaze’s more coarse, booming voice. It floated like honey across the clearing, though sweet it also held a hint of suspicion. ”Perhaps that is why Brackenstar is absent tonight? Regardless,” His challenging amber eyes flitted away from the scarred black tom and moved to the cats below the monster. ”Mistclan has been well, well, as well.” He gave a little chuckle. ”Despite losing the flippant apprentices which have become loyal members of Mothclan, we have filled the gaps with two new apprentices. The fresh faces I’m sure you’ve seen this evening are Mirepaw and Fenpaw, both exceptional young cats who already show signs of genius. And with a bustling Nursery of three separate litters- one of which being Bearstar’s-” He dipped his head to Owlstar with a warm smile and a in a small voice added, ”My reason for substituting.” Returning to face the cats, he continued, ”We will have plenty more apprentice within the upcoming moons. We are growing stronger by the day despite the season and hope the same for both Ivyclan and Mothclan.” With a comforting chestnut glow to him, the Mistclan deputy dipped his head to Eveningblaze and finished with a solemn, ”I’m sorry for your lost warriors and apprentice. May Starclan guide them home safely.”