[ti]Open[/ti]Down to Business

[Storm]

BATSTRIKE
MothClan | Warrior | Tom | 12 Moons | Heterosexual

The tom nodded politely as Longstride spoke, but he remained quiet for the most part. Batstrike's yellow gaze shifted forward as well, an ear angled towards the other cat so he could still listen. He thought through Longstrides words as he stared blankly at the backs of his clanmates in front of him. He must not be clan borne. The tom concluded, if his name had changed and become more appropriate, not that this bothered him. He wasn't born a MothClanner so it wasn't like he could really be concerned by things like that. He glanced down as Longstride piled in beside him, shaking his head in a surprised but amused way. It was strange that they were ordered to stick close to each other, but once again that wasn't something that particularly bothered a distant Batstrike. He shrugged at the comment, whiskers twitching in a simple response, he was just following orders like a well-behaved warrior. "I'm glad I met you as well, Longstride.", the tom hummed with a grin. His white tail tip twitched at his side when he caught a glimpse of MistClan entering the clearing.

Batstrike watched the cat that lead the clan, instead of Bearstar, until he leapt up to be with the other clan leaders. Hmmmm, the first two clans were tense and now MistClan's leader was absent. He hoped the gathering would pass by smoothly. He looked back to the tom stretched out beside him, "Hopefully you sat here so you could socialize with me. I’d feel pretty used if you only came to get insider info out of me." Batstrike snickered with a sideway smile, flicking his tail to tap the other tom lightly. It was a harmless comment, he just couldn’t figure any other reason why Longstride would have made his way next to him with all the rising tension. Batstrike didn't really expect a response in return, he just spoke to ease some of his own thoughts. 

Honestly, he didn’t know why Mothstar order the clan to be on guard; Greenleaf was treating the clan well and they hadn’t had many issues with the rouges. The clan was doing so well they even took on an extra mouth to feed when an older kit that was deformed had shown up, really the only issue that he knew of was a warrior going missing. From what Batstrike knew though said cat was always disobeying rules anyway, he didn’t know how to feel about the disappearance. He shifted his attention away from his busy mind, now that the last clan was arriving everything should start soon. He would want to be sure to say farewell to Longstride after things were finished here. It was only polite for the tom’s company, which was surprisingly welcomed by Batstrike.

[KingHarry]

"The rogues are bothersome, but I am not worried about them," Mothstar gruffly said in response to Owlstar, flicking his tail to signal that he had no desire to speak with her any longer. All he wanted was for Bearstar to arrive and the gathering to commence. Thankfully, it was not long before MistClan arrived - thought it was not Bearstar leading them. 

Had Sabletail become leader? No, that didn't make sense. Silvertongue was always telling Mothstar to actually think, so that was what he did. There had been no rumours of Bearstar being on her final life, so if she had died it would likely be in a horrific, overly violent way. If that had happened, he would have heard about it, right? So no, Sabletail was probably not the leader - which meant that Bearstar was ill, the MothClan founder supposed.

With a grunt, he pushed himself into a stand and stepped forward to call for the attention of the cats at the gathering. "Everyone!" Mothstar yowled, pausing to allow a silence to settle before he continued. "As much as I would like to show off about MothClan's new kits, clever apprentices, and noble warriors, I fear we have more important things to talk about. I am concerned about the possibility of another clan nearby."

The old tom had not hesitated in getting straight down to business. He huffed and blew a few strands of wayward fur out of his eyes. "I would not usually worry about such things, but after that cat washed up in MistClan and with the growing threat of the rogues... We cannot afford to be attacked on both sides. I believe that it is urgently important that we investigate the origins of the stranger that fell over the MistClan waterfall.

"The plan would be simple. The cat must have fallen into the river at some point, right? So it probably lived by it. We send warriors to follow the river and eventually we will find this other clan." Assuming that it existed, anyway, but if it didn't then this was still not a waste of time. After all, it would stop them worrying about it and allow them to focus on the rogues instead.

"I propose that each clan sends two warriors or apprentices, all three pairs gathering into one group as this is a matter that concerns us all. A medicine cat should also go. My suggestion would be MistClan's Silverfang, as Cedarleap has short legs and therefore would be useless during a long journey and, though she seems to be the best at walking among the medicine cats, I quite frankly do not like Larkbeat."

Proud of himself and his plan (he'd come up with it all by himself, you know), Mothstar turned his head to see what his fellow leaders had to say, though he did not step back quite yet.

[mewmehh]

Sabletail felt the fur along the nap of his neck bristle and stand on end as Mothstar took point and made his announcement publicly to the clans. It was professionally handled, at least by the Mistclan deputy's standards, though that made it no less difficult to digest the message. Amber eyes trained on the furry leader, the dark tabby tom swallowed the small lump forming in his throat before it had time to grow and silence him. He wanted to look to Owlstar in order to see her expression, to grasp for an idea as to how he should be feeling, but he was a tad too frozen to do so. Instead, Sabletail was lost to his thoughts.

Of course, the idea made sense. He was well-versed in tactical plans, and this one was quite sound; it held reasonable speculation and had a sensible solution in the form of sending a few cats- not too many to leave the clans vulnerable, but enough to make up a substantial patrol. That wasn't what bothered the deputy. No, what had his tail in a twist was the fact that Bearstar was not there to make the decision to agree or disagree with the Mothclan leader. Instead, the responsibility fell solely on him.

"I understand where you are coming from and agree with you, Mothstar," he started, hesitant not in his voice, but in his body language as he leaned forward. "If that is the case, when would the cats set off? I imagine that Bearstar would want to hear of such a plan, and while I may agree to participate on her behalf, I'm sure she'll want to have some say in who goes. That, and I believe the chosen cats will need to have time to rest up for such a trip. There's no telling how long they'll be gone for." He only hoped that the elder leader wasn't so vigorous as to try sending the cats tonight, from the Gathering. At least on behalf of the warriors' wellbeing, Sabletail would say tomorrow night at the earliest. He only hoped they would agree.

[silverfang218]

Silverfang has been listening to the plans by the MothClan leader and to Sabletail’s response. She’s unsure how much Sabletail knows of her message from Doe, but she wholeheartedly agrees with Mothstar’s plan… well, most of it. She steps forward after Sabletail is done speaking, raising her voice to be easily heard though she doesn’t join the leaders. Instead she speaks from her place on the ground. “My apologies, but if I may speak? I agree with this plan. The cat who washed ashore in front of our camp spoke to me from StarClan. She told me, ‘follow the river, the dense forest and twisted roots will guide you home.’ Unfortunately I know little more than that, other than she came from a group of cats I can only assume to be another clan. I’d be happy to tell this patrol sent to find them everything I know, but I am simply not comfortable leaving my clan at the moment. My apprentice is very new and while I trust her, there is a real danger of conflict with the rogues and the outbreak, earthquake, and fire are all fresh in my mind. Forgive me, but if a medicine cat must be sent, I would recommend either Larkbeat or Beetlepaw, as Beetlepaw is the most experienced apprentice at the moment and I have faith IvyClan would be in good paws.” She speaks with respect, a slight tilt of her head showing her agreement with Mothstar’s big plan as she mostly speaks to him though she is clearly addressing all the leaders. She gives him an apologetic smile before responding to his criticism of Cedarleap’s legs. “Sadly, I’m afraid that my legs are the worst of us medicine cats, and I would certainly slow the group down.

“If Larkbeat and Beetlepaw do not go, then I could happily,” She turns her attention to Sabletail, bowing her head in respect. They can hash out the details later, but for now, she plans on sharing her thoughts, “recommend warriors from MistClan who know some about herbs and healing, and I would happily give some of my herbs to the group of cats who go to take with them.” She offers to the best of her ability to make up for her discomfort leaving, but she remembers the days where there was no medicine cat in MistClan and, should she die, she hesitates to put Frostpaw and Sootheart- the two cats she knows in MistClan to be knowledgeable about herbs- in a situation anywhere close to the situation she had found herself in. With that, she bows her head and takes a step back into the group of medicine cats. She has spoken her piece and steps out of the conversation to allow the Gathering to continue.

[KingHarry]

Mothstar regarded Silverfang with cool distaste as she spoke. Okay, he had changed his mind; he actually liked Larkbeat better than her. At least IvyClan's medicine cat seemed to understand manners - that is was disrespectful and rude to speak out when the leaders were talking. If they wanted a debate, they would ask for it. Until then, Mothstar believed that everybody but the leaders should just shut up.

In the end, he elected to just ignore her. A medicine cat that didn't know her place was not worth his time, and he would much rather speak with Sabletail and Owlstar about his amazing masterplan. "I suppose it would only make sense for Bearstar to want to pick who goes," he conceded in a grumble. "I already know who I wish to send. I wish for my trusted brother, Bleakbelly, and one of MothClan's numerous formidable warriors, Pouncefox, who I know who serve the clan's interests well."

There were so many cats he could choose to go but, in the end, he wanted somebody he knew would bring back accurate information (his brother), and a warrior that could have easily taken the deputy job were Brackenfall not chosen for it. The would do well, Mothstar believed - not only in holding their own should they meet hostile enemies, but also in protecting MothClan's best interests during this joint mission.

"As for resting, you do make a good point. I propose that our chosen warriors gather at the very top of MistClan territory by the river on the next night where there is no moon in the sky. They will then follow the river together - working as if they were one clan instead of three. Do you agree with this idea?"

karambito  LupTacco

[foggy]

♚♚♚♚♚♚♚♚♚♚♚

The exchange between the leader and deputy did not surprise him. Mothclan would always advocate for action - they actually got things done, while Mistclan were the types to debate about it. However, it looked like Mothstar was pushing for the progress now, so there wouldn't be much of a chance for the waterfall dwellers to think about it too much. Jaggedtooth wasn't sure how the maned Ivyclan leader had taken the news yet, but he suspected that Owlstar would put her clan's protection first but ultimately agree. This new clan was a big threat, unlike Mothclan they didn't have any family ties to the other clans so, if hostile, there would be no mercy for anyone.

His gaze slid down from the metallic beasts towards the silver tabby who was now speaking. Silverfang was a medicine cat, and as so held a certain authority that a usual warrior may not have. On the other hand, Jaggedtooth wouldn't have done that. Speaking directly to the leaders when your opinion wasn't asked for was a bit controversial, even for him, and he was surprised that Mothstar let it slide. He got the impression that the hairy leader wasn't too keen on medicine cats in general, remembering the whole Cedarleap-Boarkit incident from moons ago. The fears Silverfang had were valid, of course, but in such a situation he expected that the other medicine cats would be happy to step in and help her apprentice out should a mass sickness overcome them or a cougar invades the camp. Otherwise, usual camp life didn't really result in anything too brain-straining, maybe a thorn in a paw or a few scratches?

In any case, Mothstar ultimately decided that the crippled she-cat was Mistclan's problem to deal with, so whether or not she was going was still up for debate as they moved on to the next stage in the plan. Bleakbelly was old as hell but no one could deny his experience, and if the other clans opted for younger, stronger warriors/apprentices, his knowledge would be extremely valuable. He sniffed when Pouncefox's name was called, the tom was a bit of a lousy father and a known flirt but also a natural leader with a skill for battle. Decent choices, but no use on their own, he wondered who else would be chosen.

He remained silent but his light green eyes scanned each of the cats from the Mistclan and Ivyclan parties, wondering if any of those already present would be picked. If any she-cats were going, he wouldn't be too surprised if they found themselves pregnant not too long after returning. Pouncefox wasn't called pounce for nothing.

[Meow]

Frostpaw remained quiet from where she sat, a few tail-lengths away from the other medicine cats. As Mothstar and Sabletail started working out the particulars of the journey to find this "mystery clan", Frostpaw found her mind drifting away from the gathering. It was interesting, of course, to wonder if they might not be the only clans around, but Frostpaw couldn't bring herself to care much for a journey they might not see the results of for moons to come. Plus... she'd be lying if she said that she didn't find the droning on of the leaders a bit boring. Couldn't they just make a decision?

Frostpaw had been observing the reflection of the moonlight on the dead monsters when a new voice cut through the night, sounding out from the crowd. Frostpaw's ears pricked as her attention was turned to Silverfang, who seemed to be voicing her agreement for the plan that Mothstar had put forth. Frostpaw almost felt a smile curve onto her lips with pride for her brave mentor. It was just like Silverfang to do such a thing... a true medicine cat, unafraid to interrupt even a leader in order to have her opinions heard.

But then she realized what Silverfang was actually talking about. Did they... want Silverfang to go on the journey, too? To... leave Frostpaw to tend to MistClan alone?

Frostpaw felt a tail brush her spine as someone sat down next to her, MothClan scent filling her nose. She didn't even have to look to know that it was Pigeonpaw who had chosen to join her. "What's she complaining about? He's honoring her by choosing her for such an important mission," a voice whispered in her ear, amber eyes glinting with annoyance in the corner of her eye. "MistClan'd be fine- you're plenty capable!"

Frostpaw furrowed her kittybrows at her friend's words, simply sending him a glare to silence him as she tried to listen for Mothstar's response. What was he thinking? She'd only been a medicine cat apprentice for a little over a moon! Frostpaw was certainly well-versed on herbs for her age, but it seemed so senseless to leave her in charge of an entire clan when she was still moons away from being a full medicine cat. It was overkill to send a fully-trained medicine cat along with a group of six cats. Surely the old tom would relent? But Mothstar said nothing to Silverfang, showing little regard for the medicine cat's protests as he went on to name who he'd send on the journey.

Frostpaw gritted her teeth, feeling Pigeonpaw's tail stroke her back as he tried to smooth the fur rising on her spine. Such little respect for the word of a medicine cat... she was sure Silverfang would have plenty to say once they got back to camp. Thank StarClan Bearstar is more sensible than this mousebrain!

...right?

[LupTacco]

A silent growl twitched in the back of his throat as his small but keen ears honed in on the interrupting speaker. Can't we have a Gathering that isn't a mockery of our ways? his tail-tip flicked side to side, his bright yellow eyes sharp as an eagle as he fixed the MistClan medicine cat in his sights. Bearstar's clan was making a rather weak impression this moon- Sabletail heading the speech in the leader's absence, and Silverfang's little outburst. Perhaps she had a point, but the old tom held firm that she should have been more respectful about bringing it up. In any case, he wasn't a Misty, so it wasn't his concern really who they did or did not send. As long as they don't send someone more of a hindrance than a warrior, he thought grimly. Not that he'd really openly say so- not anymore anyway, around anyone other than his brother- but he didn't have much fondness for the weak and physically ill in the ranks of each clan. Aside from a warm place in his heart for his nephew(whose sharp mind and wit were more than enough merit, Bleakbelly would affirm to anyone), he wasn't keen to put faith in the short-legged medicine cat beyond her healing expertise, nor in that... two-headed creature that had joined recently.

He was drawn back to more immediately important things as Mothstar, thankfully ignoring the outburst, continued on. The old tom nodded as his name was called, casting a glance at Pouncefox. The warrior was bold and clever, and Bleakbelly knew he was among the best available for the task, in spite of his tendencies. More importantly, it meant he neither had to tolerate the still inexperienced deputy challenging him constantly nor some apprentice whining about their paws or questioning him even more. Some chauvinistic tom was easy enough to keep a reign on. The old tom scanned the cats of each clan, wondering idly who would be chosen to attend. He certainly hoped nobody older than himself; he needed neither the competition nor the sighs of an elder.

---

Silverpaw frowned as the crowd reacted to his sort-of-honorary-auntie-kind-of Silverfang's speech. What was everyone so upset about? "Is Mothstar always like this?" he murmerred fretfully to whoever was close enough to hear. She was right, wasn't she? MistClan's new medicine cat in training was really new, and Silverfang herself wasn't the most able cat anymore. Surely they understood? They must. They all understood and were just being... weird. He nodded to himself- that was somehow more comforting than knowing that Silverfang's words didn't always carry the weight they carried to him in the camp whenever he had a thorn in his paw or got moss in his nose. Even Bearstar admired her words, didn't she? Yes, and Bearstar was usually right. Maybe she was always right, like Silverfang, and mom and dad.

[karambito]

Pouncefox

Upon hearing his name called for the task at hand, Pouncefox straightend himself, sitting proudly with his nose tilted up in the air towards his leader. A toothy grin formed across his face, a smug demeanor etching his features as his gaze landed upon the Mothclan deputy now, Brackenfall. Of all cats, he chose the sleek tom, not the deputy, and Pouncefox felt pretty proud of himself, the feeling basically radiating off his dark pelt.

"I am honored to escort and serve Mothclan on this journey" Pouncefox stated, his voice also dripping with smugness and entitlement. This was his chance to prove himself...not like he truly needed to, but perhaps maybe Mothstar would reconsider his less than favorable choices. Especially about Brackenfall. Tail swishing behind him, a purr rumbled deep inside his chest as he listened to the leaders attempt to agree on one thing for once. The pompous tom looked around the gathering, wondering who he was going to lead and tell what to do. He could feel his paws itch with the thought...the thought of being in complete control and having order over others. This was going to be fun. That dark, prideful grin rested on his face again and stayed. 

Whatever they found at the end of their journey- if anything, Pouncefox knew that the secret so-called clan would be no match for him, they would heed to his orders. Heed to Mothclan. Though, he also couldn't help but wonder how another clan could stay hidden for so long, how no other cats knew about them. He wondered what they were like and hoped they had good prey and nests for him to eat and rest in. They were probably utter mouse-brains such as Ivyclan, he snorted to himself. It would make it easier for them to comply anyways. Perhaps they had good territory, obviously the river was connected to them in some sense and he hoped that is was nice enough for Mothclan to move into. Starclan knows they need it.

Sifting away his busy thoughts, Pouncefox returned his attention to the gathering again.