where the winter winds blow - o, meeting [14/01]

Brackenstep was not thrilled about the warming weather. He was appreciative of the melting snow and ice, of course, as well as the promise of more prey and herbs - but something kept him from being excited about the change. He had never encountered a leafbare like this, and it did not sit right with him. The tall, slender tabby padded quickly over the thawing earth as he heard Heronstar's call, bright eyes flicking up to find the lilac calico's face. He chose a shady place to sit and wound his tail around his body, his thoughts turning to wonder at what the amber-eyed leader might discuss today. Likely the affair with Milkpaw ... and perhaps the discussion that had ensued with Nathanos, as well. Possibly she'd even mention this unexpected and suspicious heat wave.

like heronstar, the sudden warm weather concerned him. call him a pessimist, but there was something so wrong about having springlike temperatures in the middle of winter. if it was getting this warm already... how hot was this summer going to be? they'd all be jumping into the river just to escape the sweltering sun.

kestrelswoop trudged over to the meeting place, taking his seat in the front row and looking up at heronstar expectantly. he had a few guessed about what was going to be discussed in this meeting; the bloodclan situation- which still made his lip curl whenever he thought about it- certainly had to be on the agenda.

A meeting had been called and the medic moved from the den slightly to sit just outside of it. He found himself shaking out his fur a little before he tipped his head up to angle it in the direction he was sure that Heronstar was located. A part of him wondered what was going to be spoken about and he took a deep breath in before he straightened himself. No doubt it was some sort of trouble perhaps. It seemed they couldn't avoid it and it made the young man tense up ever so slightly at the idea that of that prospect. He didn't want more issues happening and with what he knew about Milkpaw's situation, especially after having tended to him personally he was on edge. The story of it having been Bloodclan made his hackles bristle a bit but he didn't say anything and just waited to hear what Heronstar had to say about all of this.

Tawnypaw would swiftly pad outside the medicine cats den with a flick of an ear, he had a few things he was expecting to be discussed at this meeting, that being the BloodClan deal and maybe some ceremonies? He failed to be able to name anyone off who may need one but then again anyone who knew the feline knew his memory could be... questionable at times.

He moves to sit next to Bisonpaw as usual, placing a gentle tail tip on his friends shoulder to let him know he was there as usual before taking a seat and looking up.

The matter of BloodClan was not news to him - he had been present at the relevant occasions and so let Heronstar's summary wash over him, nodding his slender head in acknowledgement. She soon moved on to discuss StarClan, and here the devout tom straightened up, urgency lighting his eyes. He was a pious man and had been since he was a kit; the prospect of angering the higher powers he so cherished...or of losing them entirely?...chilled him to his core. "Yes, Heronstar." murmured the chestnut-swirled warrior.

He pricked gently pointed ears as the lilac calico kept speaking, his white paws kneading the softening earth below him. An alliance between SkyClan and ShadowClan? Amusing given the difference between the sneaky, subtle ShadowClanners and the agile, soaring SkyClanners - but not a surprise, especially since he had heard of the potential alliance brewing. He was for it - they had only one ally, after all, and the more they could acquire the better. Brackenstep stayed quiet as his leader kept talking, bobbing his head in approval as she put forth her compromise with Milkpaw: appointing him to the role of mediator....

It made sense, and if the boy truly refused to accept his destiny as a warrior, the duty of a peacekeeper would suffice to give him purpose and honor.

Juniperthorn lingered somewhere along the outskirts of the crowd, unusually. He most often found himself toward the front of the crowd, but because of his seething mood about the city Clan apparently bent on continuously causing them trouble he decided he would stay far away from a condensed crowd, because of how even tiny comments would probably set him off. Still, he kept his olive gaze upon his leader, chin raised up; it was clear from his concentrated, darkened expression that he was intently listening. A small hmph of agreement shook his shoulders, eyes narrowing in the memory of the ridiculous conversation at the border- he was glad more retaliation tactics were to be taken. Too long had they cowered in fear of BloodClan... and may they interfere again, stipulation would be taken.

In other matters (thankfully, for he was so ungodly bored of BloodClan at this point), the alliance with ShadowClan would continue, a decision that Juniperthorn agreed with strongly. Especially with that irritant of a leader, basking in old problems as if they were fresh wounds, SkyClan would need more allies. He spoke up for the first time in that meeting, then; "Heronstar, I will come to ShadowClan with you," he offered, expression barely changing despite the shift in tone. It was clear he was withdrawing himself- anger would be released in due time, no doubt.

And finally, the matter of Milkpaw was brought into a fruition. With Hurricanegaze's recent promotion, the mediators were sparse. He suppressed an irritated sigh, believing mediator to be more of a title than a rank... but he wasn't in charge, was he? And there were certainly cats who believed that the rank was entirely necessary... perhaps in time he'd come to understand it. Despite all of his stormy opinions, his critical gaze flickered over to wherever Milkpaw may dwell, interested to see if he would accept Heronstar's offer.

ღ Milkpaw was content with leaning against the medicine den and half-listening to Heronstar. He, of course, respected the woman more than he could respect anyone, but he was just… tired. He nodded along with each of her declarations— Bloodclan, Shadowclan, yes, good…

Then she called his name. He snapped to attention and tiptoed through the crowd. Was he in trouble? Was she mad at him for trespassing over Bloodclan territory? He regretted the action— he hated how he ruined everything concerning their agreement, he hated how concerned he had made everyone when he said he didn’t want to be an apprentice anymore, he hated… He hated how kindly Heronstar looked down to him. "Thank…Thank you." he said, his voice sounding so small; he doubted anyone in the crowd even heard him. "Am- am I still Milkpaw until I turn twelve moons?"

MOTHSHINE ♚

Skyclan - Senior Warrior - Female - 16 moons

― Less than pleasant topics. It was still true than any mention of the city clan made Mothshine's blood go just short of boiling. The bitter reminder of a gathering where they'd been ignored, a raid where Lavenderstar had lost a life, countless clanmates sent back to them with injuries dealt at the paws of Bloodclanner's. She was quick join her clanmates after her return from a patrol, finding Juniperthorn before anyone else. It wouldn't take much for her to figure what the cause of his sour mood must be. Even the talk of it made the fur along her spine prick. Stars, it was probably a blessing she hadn't been there. Her tongue might not be as barbed as her best friend's was, but she still struggled to hold it when it came to those particular neighbors. She gave the deputy a gentle bump of her shoulder. both a greeting and something she hoped would offer comfort to him. Juniperthorn and herself had seen so much of the conflict between their two clans. It was strange to know that they had younger members who had only heard of it, or were only just now feeling the repercussions. She'd lived it alongside him. She'd seen what it did to them both, and to their clanmates. Leniency. She wanted to roll her eyes. She didn't blame Heronstar, but she felt it was far too much to hope that they'd ever see much peace with Bloodclan. "Is anyone surprised Bloodclan isn't playing the rules? Typical." She spat it with the venom that was usually reserved for these topics, head shaking. If it was trouble they wanted, she only wished they'd look elsewhere. That said, she didn't doubt Skyclan could dish it right back if necessary.

Then came the echoes of a warning Heronstar had given before. Any other words she might've had on the Bloodclan matter caught in her throat, jaw snapping shut once more. She'd always believed in the warrior code. She never found it to be restrictive, she had no issue promising to defend it. It's part of what being a warrior was built upon. All until she was given a reason to do otherwise. A reason found in the form of a Riverclan medicine cat who captured her heart quicker than she'd realized it was happening. She had been happy to pretend for the longest time that it wasn't as if they were doing something bad. Her love couldn't possibly be wrong. If her heart was pounding in her chest, she did her best to conceal it. She glanced at Juniperthorn once, the only cat she spoke about this with openly. The only one who really knew the extent of where her heart had led her. She was happy for the change of subject. Mothshine wore her heart plain for many to see, and she'd hate for Heronstar to discover her like this. Not here. Not today, perhaps not ever. She was a dear friend but she was also her leader. It was her mouth that delivered the warning. "I'll join the patrol." She offered quickly in a chirp. It'd feel nice to finish something Lavenderstar had started. She felt she owed her that much.

Then the topic of Milkpaw. Something about it made her heart wring with pity for the boy. Perhaps it was because she'd never understand it. She had been born with the desire to become a warrior. She'd never questioned it for a moment and lived her life determined to see that through. Now she held the title of senior warrior like a badge of pride, and most things she did was to uphold the honor she'd be given. So, she wouldn't understand it. That didn't mean she wouldn't support him the way she did any of their clanmates. Finding his place alongside Hurricanegaze, perhaps he'd find some peace. She had seen him hurt more than once now, and maybe this would mean they wouldn't see it happen again. For his sake, she hoped so.

He gave Milkpaw a small congratulative nod from afar, not even entirely sure if it'd be seen since he was sitting a bit far away with Bisonpaw. He wasn't even sure what a mediator was or what the point of it was... but he just hoped the clan continued to encourage Milkpaw that if he continued to train hard he could be a warrior. It partially angered him... he hadn't been there at the scene but the fact the younger tom was giving up going down a path Tawny so desperately wanted just because he got a few cuts and bruises from a monster not only let BloodClan win, but it was cowardly. So he says nothing more on it knowing his opinions wouldn't be probably welcomed given they were negative... especially on top of his attitude recently.

"Can I go on the ShadowClan patrol? I haven't went beyond our typical borders and I'd love to get acquainted with lands beyond ours a little bit more." Eh, that and he was a bit nosy to see how this would go down. But maybe he'd see Oliveslip and Gingerpaw? He liked those two even though they had very brief interactions with each other at half-moon.

He knew he was a bit late to the party but he had showed up at least, his front paws were still spotted with dirt as he padded over to where his leader called others forward. He didn't like to barge in to conversations but he was glad he wasn't too late. The patrol headed to Shadowclan hadn't left quite yet. "Heronstar. I was hoping you had room for one more on your patrol?" Ambershade dipped his head respectfully, shuffling his paws lightly to help shake off some of the loose dirt. He'd been hunting around for a few unsprouted bulbs to hopefully plant and lost track of time.

Keeping to the outskirts of the meeting, Sedge listened carefully to Heronstar, appreciative of her deft way of handling meetings. She was a kind leader as she had been a kind deputy and he had no reason not to be loyal toward her and her clan. Even still, the news of Bloodclan is troubling. With so many warriors heading to the Shadowclan patrol, he speaks up. "I will stay to protect camp during the Shadowclan patrol." He wouldn't have been going, not with the kittypet collar hidden around his neck and non-clan name.

SEDGEROOT "THE SECLUDED" & TAGS