confidence .. ( gathering one )

Tawnygaze subtly watched her young apprentice as the older fae gave introductions to the other cats sharing their company that evening. A burning orange flickered back and forth from the cats she spoke of, to her young apprentice to gauge the younger’s reaction. Pride bubbled within the ginger fae, a strange emotion for one as shy and timid as she, and for once she didn’t question whether or not she would be able to train her young ‘paw, Tigerpaw was focused and eager to learn, she could almost train herself. The young she-cat’s greeting to the other medicine cats and their apprentices was almost like a confirmation to this thought, the long haired tabby speaking politely and respectfully to her elders. The Skyclan medicine cat purred in satisfaction, immensely pleased that Tigerpaw could conduct herself in such proper mannerisms. She gave a minute node, just a small acknowledgement and insinuation of silent praise, before her apprentice’s attention could be snatched away by the outgoing Crowpaw.

The marred she-cat was overjoyed that another apprentice would welcome her into their numbers so readily, and reassurance that all was fine draped softly upon her shoulders like the comforting tail of an old friend. As Tigerpaw, enamored with the thought of bragging about her brother’s lofty apprenticeship to Pinestar and how her own training was going, Tawnygaze returned her attention to the other medicine cats in time to hear a question from Beetleberry. She offered her advice, but before she could hear an answer, the Riverclan leader stepped forward upon the great stone and the gathering officially began.

Magpiestar summoned the clans’ attention with an almost ritualistic opening, ”Thunder, Shadow, Wind, River, and Sky…” Tawnygaze tensed at his final address, something about the tone of his voice and the words rolling so purposefully off his tongue seeming like a spell. He announced the return of prey, the flowing strength of the river which gave the clan their name, and then continued to state that Yewtail had stepped down as deputy. In her place had risen Whitewater. ’Ah… Yes, Whitewater..’ Tawnygaze hadn’t had much of an encounter with the snowy pelted tom, in fact she was certain the first time she’d met him had been that evening, but he seemed levelheaded enough. He would probably be a good fit for Riverclan.

After Magpiestar it was Shadowclan’s leader who spoke. Rosestar announced, in her illustrious voice which seemed stately if not as regal as the ‘star who spoke before her, that prey had returned to their marshy territory. Shadowclan was claimed to be as strong as ever, and their borders even more so; even so, Rosestar went on to mention a loner spotted on the border they shared with Windclan causing a ripple of alarm to run through the ginger medicine cat’s pelt. Loners? In the territories? Wicked grins filled the darkness of her mind, gaping maws filled with sharp teeth that dripped bloody drool; she frantically focused on the safety of her present to escape the terror of that past experience. ’Inhale…Exhale… They can’t hurt you here. They can’t hurt you ever again…’ The femme reassured herself, fighting the bristling starchness that was seeping into her pelt. Returning her fractured attention to the Shadowclan leader, Tawnygaze forced herself to focus on the announcement that Neritefang had stepped down and been replaced by Onyxfeather.

Next up to speak was Pinestar, and Tawnygaze lost herself in the comforting familiarity of her leader’s long patterned fur. The tom announced that Skyclan was thriving with the return of newleaf; prey had returned, and life was blossoming. He listed a large number of apprentices named recently, calling out her own Tigerpaw as the new medicine cat apprentice. Tawnygaze could have purred she was so pleased – her apprentice, announced before all of the clans! – as it was, the fear of loners in the forest retreated in the face of a kinder emotion, and the fae was once again at peace. Continuing on, Pinestar revealed the expected kits of Cloverflower, as well as Orchidfeather’s decision to remain in the nursery to help with future queens.

After the Skyclan leader was Redstar, leader of Windclan. In her territory a queen named Hailbreeze’s kits had become apprentices, and Flurrypaw – whom Tawnygaze flashed an approving smile at, at the formal announcement of her apprenticeship – had become medicine cat apprentice. All well and good, until the Windclan she-cat continued with a challenge to Shadowclan’s competency at marking their own borders. Tawnygaze cowered down onto her belly, her tail a spring loaded curl against her flank, concern coating her face as if she had something to do with the loner’s presence. As she had expected of the Shadowclan leader, Rosestar was quick to defend her cats, before apologizing to Falconstar for the threat to the clear sky of the gathering. Redstar echoed the apology, after a brief rebuttal of course, and the stand opened to the Thunderclan leader.

Falconstar seemed amused by his fellows’ small argument, his levity coaxing the taught alarm from Tawnygaze’s muscles. He led into his announcement with grave news, speaking of Applestar’s death to which Tawnygaze dipped her head in a respectful show of mourning. However, his following news was lighter – Hazelclaw had become Thunderclan’s new deputy in succession to Falconstar, the names of a few new apprentices – and with a few words of conclusion he was able to end the gathering on a good note.

Pinestar’s voice was the next to find her ginger hued audits, ”Skyclan, say your goodbyes, we move out with Thunderclan.” His yellow eyes scanned the mass of cats, landing upon his deputy and then Tawnygaze and her apprentice. A nod beckoned them toward the exit of the clearing, and the medicine cat was loath to not obey. ”Good luck with your sickness, Beetleberry. I’m sure you’ll be able to find something. It was wonderful to see you all again, I look forward to the half moon.” She smiled at her fellows before turning with a signaling flick of her tail toward Tigerpaw. ”Come along, Tigerpaw, I’m sure your brother will want to hear all about your first gathering.” She was careful to keep her voice light and cheerful as she bid her goodbyes and called Tigerpaw after her, but there was a weight of dread which lingered like a hellish mark. Loners in the territories… No. She would not think about it. Shadowclan had done their duty of chasing off the trespasser, and the ginger gradient tabby was confident the loners would be slow to return.

Tawnygaze hobbled awkwardly until she found herself a burning shadow a tail length behind her leader’s flank. She wouldn’t speak in such an open place, but she desperately sought his solace on the matter of the loners. Their territory wasn’t too far off of Twoleg Place after all, and if there intruders upon the Windclan moors, surely Skyclan would be an even easier territory to invade. Worry nagged at the back of her mind, plaguing her thoughts with anxious concern. Silently, she sent a prayer up to her mother, ’Please, Applefur… Watch over us…’