Clan Meeting (After the Gathering)

[wolfkitten]

Sharpfang furrowed his brow looking quite uncertain as he came out of Echostar's... No... His den. This was still quite confusing to him. His den... He was Leader now after merely a day or so of being Deputy... He had gone in to try to make Echostar see sense, and yet Echostar simply wasn't there... What had happened to her? She couldn't be gone... So was so young, so vital to the Clan... Yet sure enough, she was gone... He looked around as he paused at the base of the stump for a moment, running a large paw over the base of it briefly. He had to think, to get his thoughts in order...

Sharpfang was a wreck... He had just gotten back from being trapped by humans for goodness sake.... How could he run a Clan? But... He had always been strong and strong willed... He knew he could do it. Why else did he wish so bad that Echostar would chose him as her Deputy... Yet when she did, he had no idea she was planning this... Well, true enough, Sharpfang had run at Echostar's side even before she chose him for Deputy... Before he was taken... So he somewhat had an idea of what a Leader had to do, and yet much of it he would have to learn himself...

He would finally hop up upon the stump and yowl out the well known words. "All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather at the Stump for a Clan meeting." He wanted to tack on please at the end of it, but stopped himself. Goodness... That had to be like his sister... He smiled slightly as he thought of her. He had seen her at the Gathering... She had gotten to see him be promoted to Leader so fast along with all the others... He remembered the pride shining behind the uncertainty in her eyes, and it made him swell with pride as well.

So now he would wait for a moment as his Clan would gather with him to hear what he had to say. This fact sent a chill through him, though a pride and delight as well, but also a chill of fear... What if he ever said the wrong thing? He had to lead this Clan now... His clan. They depended on him to lead them. So, he would swallow his uncertainties and lift his head, playing the part of a confidant Leader, if only to soothe the fears and uncertainties of his Clan mates. He had to be strong for them now when no one else was.

Nightpaw made her way out of the Apprentice Den as soon as she heard her father's summons. She had not been able to sleep, even though as a newly appointed apprentice, she could not join the Gathering yet... She would come right out, looking quite confused. What was her father doing? And where was Echostar? Certainly she had not yet heard the news... But she would obediantly dart out to take a spot near the base of the stump, fixing her father with those blue eyes, eager to hear what he had to say.

[Crane]

Pollenwind padded into the camp as soon as she heard Sharpfang's summons. She was still upset that she'd had to stay back and guard the camp. She'd had such a strong feeling this one was important.
Sighing, Pollenwind padded to where one of the new apprentices, Nightpaw, was sitting. She'd had to stay home too, Pollenwind remembered. Poor thing, it would be awful to miss out on all the excitement then have your friends come back and brag about it. Pollenwind sat next to her.
"Hiya," she whispered, friendly.

Leiko opened one eye from where she was sitting, in front of the Elder's Den. It looked like the mighty ShadowClan warriors had returned. She rolled her pale green eyes when she thought that. Mighty, my tail.
Oh well, she supposed she should go over there too. Heaving herself up - she was just getting comfortable - she went and sat behind an apprentice and another warrior.

[FireFlyDragon]

[Marshflight]

Marshflight’s orbs opened wearily to slits, their pale green abysses blinking slowly as he tried to configure the words that wafted to his now pricked ears. For a moment he was still, and at least slightly confused as the words took shape to be the calling for the Clan. The only thing different was that it was not Echostar’s voice that brought him from his moss nest, but the deep booming of Sharpfang the ShadowClan deputy. Seeing as the others had already cleared out from the now deserted den Marshflight himself rose, shaking bits of moss and similar debris from his otherwise smooth coat of molted browns and pale oranges.

As his paws brought his great form through the den opening he couldn’t help but wonder what Sharpfang had to tell the clan about. Surely Echostar would do the honors herself if the gathered news was of such importance of a clan meeting. Never the less the young tom brought himself towards the so familiar trunk with a flowing trot, his orbs unblinking now as his mind awoke to its fullest for such an occasion. He spotted a few cats already gathered before the commanding deputy, mostly warriors though he spotted the small form of a new apprentice. He took a moment to concern himself with her identity and it wasn’t long before he could remember her name. Nightpaw it was now as he set himself down beside another somewhat familiar face.

“Greetings Pollenwind” he meowed to the she-cat warrior. His voice was light and rich and he couldn’t help but notice how comfortable he felt when addressing, well, anyone of his clan. “Hows that paw doing?” He knew full well that it must have healed already, if not long after the pair had received Skyfire’s fine treatment, but he figured he might as well ask. His own small cut was holding up fine, and he felt no pain now at its usage when out hunting or patrolling, the night off from the gathering not long ago had fixed him up good, not to mention he got to know a few other clan mates a bit better at the same time.

Movement was caught from the corner of his eye, and he acknowledged this with but a flick of an ear, though he could now clearly see who had joined the group before Sharpfang. His head cocked as his emotion now turned to thoughtfulness, for the cat who had come up had been none other then Leiko; a rouge prisoner. Marshflight didn’t know much about her, as they had never really found reason to talk or hang around, not to mention most of the time she hardly seemed to even be in the same camp. His gaze had now strayed from the figure resting upon the stump to the she-cat, still thoughtful as he wrapped his tail about his paws. He soon cut that out though, he really didn’t like to stare, even if he meant nothing rude by it. So he merely gave a slight nod of his head to the cat, showing his respect to her, though many cats might think she deserved nothing of the sort.

[Silver]

Skyfire had only been in his den a few minutes when he heard Sharpfang's summoning call. He glanced around, making sure everything was in place, before hurrying outside to join the others. The darkness that hovered over camp always seemed to surprise him, despite the heavy clouds that hung over camp. Skyfire was headed toward his usual spot- up front, a little bit away from the bulk of the crowd- when he spotted Leiko. Smiling to himself, he changed directions, wordlessly settling himself beside her. He could feel her curious gaze, but he kept his attention on Sharpfang. StarClan will receive him with pride at his ceremony, he thought idly, watching the tall, bold tom sit atop the stump as if it was his natural birthright, yet not holding any arrogance as one might assume from someone who had accented the ranks so quickly. A cold wind suddenly blasted him, making him fluff out his torishell fur and flatten his ears against his head. His good mood instantly vanished, replaced by a bitter resentfulness against the coming Leaf-bare.

[Crane]

Pollenwind nodded to Marshflight and smiled politely. "I'm holding up fine," she chuckled, "How are you doing yourself?" A sprained ankle could be serious around the time of Leafbare, but Marshflight was a strong warrior, so he'd be fine.
She ignored the newest addition to their group, the rogue cat that Fallensong had captured. Well, the cat had claimed she gave herself up... Whatever. It's not like it mattered.
Pollenwind dipped her head as Skyfire joined the group and sat next to the rogue. When she saw how casually he did this the fur on the back of her neck bristled slightly. Nothing good was going to come of that, she was sure.

Leiko was a little startled when Skyfire sat next to her, but she nodded politely and smiled at him. She was curious, now. This must be pretty serious for even Skyfire to be here.

[firewrath]

EmberGaze came over and sat down, a gleam in her eye. She had a plan and no cat was going to stand in her way... not even SharpFang...

[xx snakey]

Infectedsound

Infectedsound padded into the clearing, a rabbit in her jaws. She glanced at Sharpfang and bristled. Why is he on the Stump? Where's Echostar? She thought, setting her catch down and padding over to Skyfire. She had an emence amout of respect for the medicine cat. She nodded a solemn geeting. "What's going on?" She asked, her tail lashing before she wrapped it around her paws to calm it. The snowy white tip still flicked irratably as she watched Sharpfang. He shouldn't be up there! Unless Echostar's sick or something! What happens then? Does Starclan approve of this? She thoughts raced and she bristled uncomfortably, her lips drawing back in a grimace. She wanted to know what was happening!

[FireFlyDragon]

[Marshflight]

As the meeting continued to grow in size Marshflight noticed more familiar faces began to appear. Skyfire, for one was a particular cat that Marshflight noticed quickly and he gave the aging tom a quick but sincere nod as he settled himself down at Leiko’s side. At this motion Pollenwind’s neck fur bristled slightly. His tail came around to lay gently across one of her paws in an effort to clam her and he aided the motion with words. “I’m doing well now, thanks to Skyfire.” His pale orbs then flickered quickly about the rest of the gathered cats.

There were two others that he had noticed about camp, but other then that he wasn’t too familiar with them though he knew he should be, considering they were of his own clan. His ears flicked in slight embarrassment at this but the feeling passed quickly as one of the cats who had just appeared let out a question, tone possibly confused as her tail lashed momentarily. His orbs blinked slowly at her before he answered with a hushed tone. “Sharpfang has called a meeting, though I’m not sure why it isn’t Echostar doing it.” He had guessed that she was referring her question to why Sharpfang was the one addressing the clan in Echostar’s apparent absence.

[wolfkitten]

Sharpfang gazed out at the gathered cats. Goodness uncertainty gripped him in it's tight embrace. He heard the whisperings and murmerings around camp already asking why he was up there instead of Echostar. He would wait a few more moments for the rest of his beloved Clan to gather. Once he had at least most of them there he would start, but not until. But then again he couldn't just let everyone else just sit around in the cold without any explanation.

So soon enough he would lift his voice again, willing his form and voice not to shake as he would address his Clan. "My dear friends... I know you're all eager to go to your warm nests, but I hope you would hear me out... Those of you who were at the Meeting know just as much as I... But I need to share with the rest formally. Echostar announced today at the meeting that she was stepping down. In such an action, she has left me in charge..." He paused to let this fact sink in and he glanced around quietly to take in the different reactions to such a thing.

He would soon speak up again. "And as those of you who were there heard, there have been many changes in leadership in the forest. I fear dark times are coming but we are ShadowClan and we will stand strong." His voice lifted and boomed out over the camp, echoing with pride and strength and certainty. "I will be going to speak with StarClan tomorrow night. And upon my return I shall name my Deputy. ShadowClan shall live on and make it through these trials. I need each one of you to be vigilant and ready at all times. I don't know what the other Clans are thinking of in times such as this, but we must be ready to defend our Clan and our home."

He looked down to the gathered cats and his gaze fell upon Leiko. Sharpfang needed to start his leadership off right, and yet tonight was not the night to do so. He was not technically the Leader yet, StarClan had not given him his name, nor his nine lives. He wanted to be truly their leader before he started taking the liberty of doing the things a Leader would do. But he would nod slowly as he lowered his head slightly. "I don't know what happened with Echostar... I came back to try and speak to her, and yet I cannot find her anywhere. I ask that in your patrolls you remain alert, and try to find her presence. She should not go through this life alone without her Clan." He nodded again and would wrap his tail gently over his paws. "Thank you for listening my friends. And I will say it again. StarClan shall never fail us. They will bring us through this and ShadowClan will remain strong against whatever threat comes our way. As long as we band together, we will make it through."

Once he was done with his words, he would flick his tail in dismissal of his Clan, and he would jump down from the stump, gazing around at all the cats gathered. He was making a point here. Even if he was to take on the Clan, he was no better than any of them. He was simply the one chosen to lead them. StarClan help them... And him if they have time. He wandered over to where Marshflight sat beside Leiko, and nodded to both cats. "Marshflight... A word?" He said requested from the other cat before lifting and moving off a few paces from the others.

Nightpaw perked her ears up as she watched her father intently. That was until Pollenwind came over. She perked her ears up as she suddenly realized that she had said something. She had been rather focused upon her father. She dipped her head and laid back her ears a bit appologetically. "Sorry... Hi..." She winced a little as she wasn't sure of Pollenwind's name. Sure enough the young cat had been taken before she got to know much outside the Nursery. But she smiled lightly to her, letting her tail sway a bit.

Once the meeting ended with her father encouraging the Clan. She smiled widely to her father, but then looked back to Pollenwind, not wanting to make her thing she was ignoring her, as she wasn't. Nightpaw simply got rather focused.

[firewrath]

Embergaze walked away as soon as SharpFang had leapt down. She had business to attend to. She had the berries and now had time to grab a rabbit and set the trap. Then the cleansing would begin. Once WindClan and ThunderClan fell then she would work on getting that leader out of the way, and the new deputy...

[Silver]

Skyfire nodded, sweeping his gaze over the crowd of cats. Some faces seemed startled, others seeming cheered in spirits by Sharpfang's powerful speech. He nodded to Leiko, then padded over to Pollenwind and Marshflight. He respectfully let Sharpfang pull Marshflight aside, turning his gaze to Pollenwind. "Just double checking on that paw. Nothing else bothering you yet eh? No chills, sniffly nose, coughs, any thing of the sort? What about your denmates? Do they seem healthy?" he asked, his eyes glowing with amusement at his own questions. "Never can be too careful with the cold coming in..." he trailed off, noticing Nightpaw hovering nearby. "Hello, young one. Hows your training been doing? Has your mentor had you clearing out the moss for nests yet?" he asked, switching subjects as easily as he could breath.

[FireFlyDragon]

[Marshflight]

As Sharpfang started talking something inside of Marshflight eased, as if his words soothed his worry. The knowledge of Echostar being lost still sent waves of emotions through him, though they seemed dulled by the deputy’s – No, the new leader’s words of comfort. Though he seemed in a daze as the tom stepped from the stump, leaving the others to disperse and go about their duties in time.

He quickly brought himself to the present though as he noticed Skyfire stepping closer to the small group, Sharpfang also made him self present. A little surprised at the coming leader’s words he got to his feet a little uneasily, though his steps became more confident as he followed the tom away from the small bundle of cats“Ah…Yes Sharpfang?” His tail swished slowly over the ground as his orbs met Sharpfang’s own, though he wasn’t communicating disrespect in the motion. He was just a little wondering at what Sharpfang would have to see him about.

[wolfkitten]

Sharpfang looked to Marshflight as he would allow him to lead him off. He would dip his head lightly and graciously to the little knot of cats, his daughter included, as he led Marshflight off. He looked around at the cats, trying to guage reactions from down here. He was hoping they would take well to him, honestly. He was a strong cat, very centered in the Warrior's Code... And he had a healthy bit of humbleness. He didn't feel fit to lead these cats any more than Echostar was and yet he was going to do his darnest to do so. His tail snapped a bit, showing his slightly anxiousness, but he would calm it quickly as Marshflight followed him, certainly not wanting to show any weakness.

He finally turned to Marshflight. "You're young... But I have a heavy task to ask of you Marshflight... I had this sprung on me, I didn't want to spring it on you. I have to name a Deputy the night after I get back from Moonstone and I feel that you are a good choice... I also want to ask you to finish the training of my little one... Nightpaw." He nodded slightly and would allow him to take it in, and to wait for an answer from him, his tail swaying slightly, hoping he wouldn't deny either one. Sure, he had only known Marshflight as a kit if he knew him at all before he was taken, but from what he had seen the last few days, Marshflight would make a good one. It was a gamble, but if it was simply inexperiance, well... They would learn together. But he would watch Marshflight quietly to take in his reactions to all this.

Nightkit perked her ears up as she listened intently to her father. Her eyes glowed with pride. She had spent the last while with only him and she had never seen him give in or give up his hope, and here they were back home. Her father could certainly lead this Clan. She hoped everyone would see this as well... But she was sure they would... Her father would be one powerful Leader. Fair, but wonderful.

She looked up as her father came over and led Marshflight off. She nodded respectfully to him and smiled lightly, before looking to Skyfire as he came over. Her tail flicked a bit and she smiled respectfully to him, and she tilted her head a little as she heard his words and grinned widely. "Oh sir I don't really have a mentor but my dad yet..." She nodded slightly. "But I can't wait to do the chores Apprentices did!" She would grin and nod eagerly. Goodness it wasn't likely a normality to see an apprentice so eager to do chores, but of course after being locked away in a cage for so long it wasn't too surprising for the young cat. But she smiled widely up at him, tilting her head a bit.*

[FireFlyDragon]

[Marshflight]

Sharpfang seemed anxious, his tail twitching as the pair made their way to their coming conversation. But Marshflight soon saw that the large cat handled his doubts and so in turn the young warrior tried to do the same. He wasn’t quite sure actually what Sharpfang was getting to as he began to speak, though he remained silent as he let him continue. Upon the mention of naming a deputy Marshflight’s stomach clenched, and he could feel something concerning the subject was related to him. This wasn’t a bad guess as Sharpfang basically told him that he was to be the new deputy of ShadowClan.

“Deputy?” he seemed stunned a little as any cat would be, though he kept himself manageable, thinking hard on the subject as the silence lengthened. He wouldn’t mind to mentor the young she-cat, actually he would be glad to. The tom knew he would have to give an answer and in so doing he made sure his voice was strong, though not over-confident to an extent, as that would be a lie to his true feelings. “Sharpfang, I agree to both positions.” He bowed his head to the warrior before him, respect buried deep in his movements. “And I promise you I will work to the best of my abilities, however small they might be at this time.” His orbs once more met the leader’s, their pale circles crackling with determination and good will for his coming duties.

“I may accompany you in your journey to the Moonstone if wished, though it might be wiser to take an older warrior, one who has made the journey more then once maybe?” His words were a little hesitant; after all he was instructing the leader for goodness sakes. So the tom promised to himself to think through his words a little more in the future, but for now he hoped Sharpfang wouldn’t take his words in any wrong way. Man, this whole deputy things would be hard to get used to.