Cottonbreeze dipped her head softly at her leader's instructions. It would be an honour to join in the gathering, and she would treasure it with all her heart. Still, she wondered how her clan would fare with the small number of warriors. Surely it would be presenting a bad image to the other clans. Either way, she would be sure to show her best manners, and try to make friends in this gathering.
Wasppaw hurried into camp, just in time to hear Pearlstar announce who would be attending the Gathering. He froze in surprise, delight flooding across his face before it drained into disappointment. He had always wanted to attend the Gathering and being the only apprentice to attend would have been a point of pride, but since Amberpaw was sick the experience wouldn't be satisfying. He turned toward the Medicine Cat's Den and saw Amberpaw lying in its entrance. He nervously shuffled over, flashing her an apologetic smile.
"Hey," he said softly, sitting next to her. "How are you feeling?"
He figured that since she wasn't bedridden, she might be feeling better; in which case he'd feel a little less guilty about going without her. Wasppaw inwardly shrunk back from the thought as it dawned on him how selfish that sounded. He looked down at his paws and tried to think of what to say.
"So... I'm going to the Gathering. Well... maybe. I mean..." Wasppaw shot her a sheepish look. He was hoping to see some sort of positive response forming in her expression, but he looked away and sighed. "Look, I'm... sorry about... earlier today. You know? You were really nice even though I was..."
Wasppaw panicked when he unexpectedly struggled to admit that he had unnecessarily treated Amberpaw coldly. He decided he'd just skip that part and get to the point. "Er, anyway... yeah. I just wanted to say I won't go if... if you don't want me to, you know? I wouldn't want you to be all lonely and everything. That would kind of stink." Wasppaw cringed, regretting his phrasing. He desperately tried to save himself of his mistake. "I-I mean, that would stink for you. D-do you understand?"
Amberpaw's ears fell when she heard about the gathering. Perhaps she would have been able to go if she hadn't become sick. Her ears fell and her head lowered with disappointment. This quickly changed when she noticed that Wasppaw was making his way over to her. Amberpaw propped herself up so she saw by his side.
"How are you feeling?"
Amberpaw purred when her den-mate showed his concern. She was happy that he wasn't mad at her. His cold voice still caused her heart to sink.
"I'm doing alright. The pain isn't as bad as it was before, I can mange. I'm sure I can go back to training soon. I really feel nothing now."
Amberpaw did her best to sugarcoat it. She didn't want to worry Wasppaw anymore than she already did. Then he began to speak about the hunt and how he felt bad for his tone. This caused Amberpaw to develop a warm and sweet smile upon her face. It really did help her to know that he didn't really mean to feel that way. Wasppaw then tried to change the topic so Amberpaw felt it was best to leave it at that. She understood what he was trying to say despite his trouble to vocalize it. Then he spoke about the gathering.
"Don't worry Wasppaw!" She gave him a little nudge with her shoulder. "Have fun! Tell me all about it when you get back. I'll be waiting for a good story."
Amberpaw purred and placed her head on his shoulder for a breif moment. She was really grateful for him. He came to her when she was feeling lonely and showed his concern for her health. Removing her head from his shoulder, she then tried to push him towards the center of camp.
"You better hurry. I'm sure they are going to leave soon."
When Echosong approached her once more, the white cat felt herself tense. In the medicine cat’s expression, she saw that something needed to be said. Instinctively, she knew she was about to be informed of something else she didn’t know of.
"Pearlstar, there is something I must tell you. Some days ago, I found Nestclan markings on Pebble Beach. I remarked the land and didn't think to bring it up since it wasn't technically ours. But I think it would be a good idea to inform you in case some clan brings it up."
Surprised, she stiffened and narrowed her eyes. “They marked Pebble Beach?“ She repeated, staring at Echosong with a frown. Wasn’t this just great, now there was something else to worry about tonight. Pearlstar then begun to pace lightly, her silvery form moving like liquid. It was a slow pace, her every step moving slowly and deliberately. She took a deep breath. “Thank you telling me, Echosong. That doesn’t surprise me, coming from Nestclan.”
She shook her head in disapproval. Those kittypets had the audacity to claim themselves as warriors, even while they lived with their twolegs. They were like kits playing pretend-warrior games. But, like kits, they have a tendency to get in trouble and can only learn by being taught a lesson.
The leader sighed and swung her body around. “We’ll see what happens at the gathering. If we can correct this with a slap of the paw, it may require little interference on our part. However, we cannot allow them to think they can get away with this. I’ll say something tonight. They’ll know not to do it again.”
Pearlstar then flickered her eyes over to Wasppaw, glad to see the apprentice made it in time. Good. That was one less thing for her to worry about. She thought he’d be delighted to hear the news, but instead she sensed uncertainty in the young tom's features. Then when he approached Amberpaw, Pearlstar was able to guess the reason why.
Despite the greater situation at hand, his youthfulness distracted the pressing thoughts weighing down on the she-cat. There was a trend where apprentices always took gatherings so seriously. They were young, it was natural. They do not know they have plenty of moons left ahead of them, with many, many gatherings to attend in their lifetime. Lifting her head to skies, she witnessed the full moon, in her eyes it’s bright sphere reflecting in pools of liquid gold. It was the beginning of the sacred night, and her very paws tingled with what felt to be a spiritual connection.
Swiveling her head to view the bodies of her clanmates, she blinked slowly. She lingered for a bit more wanting to allow Wasppaw enough time to speak with his friend, and time for all of the cat’s to prepare for their departure. Tonight would be an important gathering…this aging cat had a feeling.
(-Cedarpaw Enters-) Cedarpaw came through to the middle of the camp. "I got something!" Cedarpaw yowled through the leaf. She saw Echosong next to Pearlstar, talking. She walked up to them and waited, not wanting to interupt anything. She set the leaf wrap down and it slid open. "Look what I got..." Cedarpaw mewed softly. "My heart says that these berries will work, as long as you eat them(I do believe you eat Juniper Berries)." Cedarpaw mewed again. She felt bad for interrupting their conversation, but Echosong needed to be better. "Has anyone brought any fresh-kill back either? I'm starving..." Cedarpaw meowed, looking down at the dirt. She felt weird asking, but hope had settled in her stomach.
Echosong smiled at Pearlstar grimly. Yes indeed. Nestclan would have to explain their actions, and in a selfish way, the medicine cat was glad that she wouldn't be there to witness it. Cheering up a little as her apprentice stepped into the den, she looked down happily at the berries. Eating them quickly, she nodded to her apprentice. "Then I do believe they'll work. Go rest now, you've done very well, and I'm sorry I couldn't help you." Echosong felt quite horrible for not being there for her apprentice' first trip. But Cedarpaw had done well.
Wasppaw sighed with relief when Amberpaw seemed to perk up. He eagerly accepted her sugarcoated account of her health, not questioning for a second that it was anything but the whole truth. His uneasy smile grew into a genuine grin, excitement lighting his eyes.
"Don't worry Wasppaw! Have fun! Tell me all about it when you get back. I'll be waiting for a good story."
Wasppaw nodded enthusiastically, happy to receive her permission. He was about to say something when the she-cat laid her head on his shoulder. Surprised, he tensed and tried to think of what to do. Amberpaw and he hadn't been more than just den-mates before today, but now it seemed they had formed a new friendship. Wasppaw wasn't sure how he should respond to this gesture of friendship, but Amberpaw pulled away before he could think of anything. He opened his mouth to say something when the she-cat began to nudge him toward Pearlstar.
"You better hurry. I'm sure they are going to leave soon."
Wasppaw ran to Pearlstar, but shouted back at Amberpaw. "Thanks, Amberpaw! I'll tell you everything, I promise!" It was now his mission to bring back the best story for Amberpaw, because he was going to experience it for the both of them. He'd do his best to remember every little detail so it was like she had been there with him, seeing and hearing everything he did. Wasppaw felt hope flutter in his paws, as if he could float right off the ground in joy. This day just might end on a spectacular note after all.
Last Edit: Oct 10, 2015 13:43:31 GMT -6 by Deleted
Cougarheart emerges from the nursery, quickly padding up to his leader. "Did I miss anything?" He asked, the answer was obvious. Why would he even ask. Of course he missed something. He was probably going to attend the gathering alongside a few other cats. Probably.
The white cat blinked slowly at Echosong, and dipped her head to the she-cat once she saw Cedarpaw return with what looked to be berries. She hoped that she would rest herself tonight. Looking back over in the direction of Wasppaw, he seemed to cheer up considerably. Pearlstar couldn’t help but purr warmly at the apprentice when he approached.
“I’m sure Amberpaw will be feeling much better soon. Perhaps even after the gathering.” She told him, hoping to add reassurance. It seemed the young tom was very caring, and it made her heart smile to see him worry about his friend. It seemed she had picked right for the gathering, as this experience would benefit him well.
Then, she noticed the large, sandy form of Cougarheart as he pushed his way out of the nursery. It seemed he would be joining them after all, which dissipated the tingling in her paws. While Pearlstar was more than capable of taking on a gathering by herself, everything was sure to be easier with his support. With the gnawing at her stomach quickly easing, she tried not to show how much more relaxed his presence made her, and nodded to him. “Yes, Cougarheart. We’re about ready to leave - but I just heard word of Nestclan’s marking of Pebble Beach. I am…not sure what Nestclan will say about it. I need you there.” Pearlstar smiled faintly at her deputy, before turning to the woods before her.
Bathed in moonlight, the slender cat turned to face the assembled group, resting her gaze upon all three chosen cats. It appeared they were all finally ready, and she would be pushing it to delay any longer. “Let us go. I smell Glenclan on the wind.“ With that, she strode away, her pelt becoming dappled as she entered the forest. It would reflect Creekclan poorly to arrive late, with them having the shortest journey of all three clans.
[Exit Pearlstar]
Last Edit: Oct 10, 2015 18:48:34 GMT -6 by Deleted
"It's okay, Echsong. Times like these'll happen. Plus you wouldn't already feeling well, and I wouldn't want to take a chance of something happening to you outside of camp." Cedarpaw meowed to her mentor solemnly. She couldn't wait for someone to go out hunting. Cedarpaw probably wouldn't be able to sleep with the pang of hunger hanging around her stomach. Eyeing the Apprentice's den, she looked up at her mentor. "I hope the berries'll do you well." Cedarpaw dipped her head and headed off towards the den, hoping she'd at the very least sleep a little. The warriors and apprentices would probably try hunting again tomorrow anyway, so there's no point eating the crow-food at the fresh-kill pile. (-Cedarpaw Exits-)
“Let us go. I smell Glenclan on the wind.“ He nodded, quickly eating the last bit of perch before he left. Immediately feeling full. He catches up with his clanmates. (Cougarheart exits) (LOW MUSE ALERT)
Dewdapple did feel a little better, knowing that she needn't use her paws to help the Medicine Cat. She had offered, certainly - but she was a warrior for a reason. Collecting plants was technically beneath her. And at the same time, Wasppaw was taken off her hands as he was offered a chance to attend the Gathering. Lastly, Amberpaw seemed substantially perked up.
All things worked out in the end.
"Amberpaw, if you're feeling better...might I suggest getting some good food in your belly? And then come with me...we'll get a feast for our clan when they come back." She frowned slightly, and nodded her head towards the fish, deftly separating it into two separate shares, and devouring one herself.
Last Edit: Oct 11, 2015 11:55:39 GMT -6 by Deleted
“I’m sure Amberpaw will be feeling much better soon. Perhaps even after the gathering.”
Wasppaw nodded. If Pearlstar said it, then it must be true. Out of all the cats in the Clan, Wasppaw was always in a constant state of awe around the she-cat. She had been around for forever, he supposed, at least a lot longer than he had (which was automatically forever in his mind). He felt incredibly honored to have been chosen by the leader herself to attend the Gathering; it slightly gnawed at him that she might not have, had she known what had transpired this morning.
But she probably would never know, because he wouldn't tell her. Wasppaw felt that was fair. He bounded giddily after his mentor, filled with grand ideas of what the Gathering might be like. Oh StarClan, tonight was going to be awesome! He almost tripped on the back of Cougarheart's paws in his hurry to leave, though he avoided any accident narrowly. With a little skip, he disappeared through the camp exit and onto the obvious greatness that lied before him. (Wasppaw exits)
Leaving the nursery after feeling a little bit peckish, she goes over to the perch, and munches on a share of it. Then after she finishes her share, she looks up and around. Well, definitely seems like Cougarheart and a couple of the others left. They'd probably be back soon, though. She heads back to the nursery and her kits.
(-Cedarpaw Enters-) Cedarpaw hobbled out into camp from the Apprentice den and walked over to the fresh-kill Pile, visibly shaking. She selected a fish that didn't smell bad and ate slowly. That eased her stomach a bit. Feeling better, Cedarpaw stood there next to the pile, looking around the nearly deserted camp. She wondered how the gathering was going.