confidence .. ( gathering one )

And all of your weight, all you dream
Falls on me; it falls on me
And your beautiful sky, the light you bring
Falls on me; it falls on me


“This will be fun,” Crowpaw heard Sparrowpelt as the duo made their way out of camp with the patrol of chosen cats and towards Fourtrees, where the Gatherings have always been held. He was not one known for his comforting words per se, but he pressed his pelt briefly against hers- his left side to her right, as he walked alongside her.

Though his mentor may not be fond of Gatherings, he himself was neutral- it was crowded and busy and loud, yes, but it also meant a chance to interact with new cats and hear the latest clan news and watch clan politics play out. The latter he didn’t grasp fully, of course, but it was interesting to watch for sure. Friends can be allies…. Rosestar’s earlier words echoed in his mind. He didn’t think he’d be the one to make those allies for ShadowClan, but he’d keep an ear out for sure.

At last they arrived. It appeared WindClan and SkyClan had shown first, then ShadowClan, with the other Clans slowly filtering in behind them. Already groups were forming and conversations were being held, though he didn’t particularly spot any that he was interested in engaging with.

"Feel free to talk to others, you don't have to stick by me if you don't want to Crowpaw."

He considered his mentor’s words, but his mind had already been half made up as she spoke. After a final glance around, he replied when she finished speaking. “I’ll follow you, Sparrowpelt. I like seeing the medicine cats,” Crowpaw added the last bit, almost as if reassuring her that he didn’t feel pressured. It was true, after all. And there was one cat in particular he was interested in seeing, if she came.

The solid black tom followed his mentor through the moonlit hollow where two other medicine cats awaited. “Hello again, Beetleberry, Nettleheart, Blackpaw” he greeted the medicine cats, both vocally and with a respectful dip of his head. There was two additional warriors there as well, and another cat he recognized as a deputy- Swiftfoot, he remembered after a moment’s thought.

"There was nothing to interrupt," Was the last she-cat’s comment at their approach, directed towards Sparrowpelt. The tom tilted his head at this, face otherwise expressionless, though he stared briefly. The comment didn’t sit well with him, and he could already tell he wasn’t going to like her one bit. Sparrowpelt was, in his mind, the best and wisest of the medicine cats, and he wouldn’t take kindly to any slights against her. Crowpaw was, after all, of the belief that medicine cats held more power and ranked higher than deputies- while the latter made sure things were running smoothly in camp, the former were busy saving lives from the jaws of injury and sickness.

The continued conversation distracted him from his thoughts and Crowpaw listened idly. His ears pricked when Beetleberry mentioned his apprentice- “Flurrypaw’s here?” He said mostly to himself, glancing around with green eyes as the WindClan medicine cat did so as well. He hoped silently that they’d have a chance to talk- out of all the cats outside his Clan, he felt he may get along with her the best.

Tawnygaze arrived next, and Crowpaw dipped his head in greeting as well, though he was still glancing off to the side every once in a while, hoping to catch a glimpse of Flurrypaw. He turned his attention back fully to the group before him after a minute- worst come to worst, he could find her towards the end of the Gathering to chat. It was nothing urgent. For now, he listened with a thoughtful expression and sat straight with ease and confidence.