Elder Council 2014

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| Welcome to this year's old/dead cat gathering, hosted by myself! Any elders (Redstorm, Windflurry, Leopardripple, Hawkbreeze, Koisplash, Moonpool, Waspwing, and anyone else that I missed) are welcome to post here. CloudClan spirits (Firelight, Rainfeather, Cloudbreeze, Crystalclaw, Falconwing, Crimsonsky, Littlepool, Cherryleaf, etc.) may also join in. However, the dead cats will not be seen by the living; they can only listen/watch and converse with other spirits. Sound good? Let's go~ |

Using the mystical council-calling powers which had been passed down to him by Redstorm, IceClan's newest elder had arranged for all the old cats to gather for a meeting that night. It was nice and clear, so moonlight illuminated Maplefrost's path to the Shared Clearing. There hadn't been any Clan Gatherings since before the DeathClan occupation. This would be a good way for the cats to get back in touch, and it'd also be a chance to share stories. Or whatever elders did at meetings.

Sighing with relief, the long-furred calico flopped down on the cool grass of the clearing. His journey from the mountains had been long. Now he just had to wait and see if anyone would even show up. Who knew? Maybe they hadn't trusted his summons. That would definitely be disappointing. At the very least, he could chat with his fellow IceClan elders, but then what was the point of coming all the way out here? Maplefrost could have talked to them back in the comfort of his nest...

[Redstorm]

The nearly blind tom followed as closely behind Maplefrost as he could. He was muttering curses here, and there, and everywhere. His blindness in his left eye was at it's best now, leaving him to desperately try to look with his right eye, which was blurry at best. But he did not stay at home, nor complain aloud. He was too old to complain, or stay home and rot. He needed adventure, and conversation, and best of all, a gathering.

Finally he could tell they were there. The scents of trees and streams parted to the left and right, leaving the scent of dew on grass in the clearing to welcome him, as well as Maplefrost's on mountainous scent. Now he could rest and talk, and prepare for the trip back up the mountain later that night. He turned his head in the direction of Maplefrost's scent and faked a smile.

"Nice walk, isn't it? I always have loved going down the mountain for gatherings. Makes me feel like I'm going as fast as a rabbit." He said, voice low and raspy with age. He was truly dying, he knew it in his bones, but his spirits would not be dampened by it.

[Koisplash]

Nowadays, since her retirement, Koisplash didn't go out all that often. It wasn't as if her bones couldn't take the trip; they weren't as young as a new warrior's, but still healthy for a senior. Her eyesight had been failing her more and more recently, however, and lately she was somewhat more withdrawn.

This time would be an exception. She'd heard about elder councils before, but had never considered the idea of actually taking part in one. They'd been few and far between, from what little knowledge she'd picked up from them.

It wasn't long before the clearing opened before her, clear and bright with the grass cool and damp under her paws. She blinked before realizing two others were also present; Maplefrost and Redstorm. Koisplash hadn't seen either of them in moons, though she was on fair terms with them.

"Hello," she said casually, sitting down at the base of a tree and wrapping her bushy tail around her paws. "It's been a while, eh? How have you both been?"

[Leopardripple]

The young elder of Fireclan made her way to the gathering of elders. She limped forward and sighed growling at her paw before she looked up at the forest trees. Nodding, she took a deep breath and padded forward before soon arriving at the area of meeting. Her dulling lime green eyes looked at the other cats, it was two Iceclan and a Treeclan. W-wait that Treeclan cat was the deputy, or well former deputy if shes here .. odd.

Shaking her head, Leopardripple blinked and stared forward before breaking through the entrance as she found a comfortable spot to lay and lay down looking at them. "Hello there.." she mewled.

[Moonpool]

Moonpool had been following slowly behind his den-mate as they made their way to the gathering of elders. He had never taken part in one, he had missed one when he first became an elder, so he did not want to miss this one. The tom had not recently been himself due to all the loss in Treeclan but this event made him forget that somewhat. Getting to see the other elders from other clans might be nice, maybe he would see some cats he could recognize.

Padding into the grassy clearing, each blade seemed to be covered in dew, the tom looked around. There were already three other cats in the clearing besides himself and Koisplash. He did not recognize the cats by name, though they all had a vague familiarity to them when he spotted them. He had probably seen them at gatherings or somewhere along the lines during his life.

" Hello to you all,I am Moonpool if you are unfamiliar...." he addressed himself incase he needed to as he walked over and sat down near the growing group , awkwardly adjusting himself to get comfortable. His paws already ached a bit from the walk.

[Deleted]

With a purr, Maplefrost glanced over at Redstorm. The older tabby hadn't seemed to enjoy the trip to the clearing, as he'd kept muttering the whole way. He seemed to be happier now that they'd arrived, though.

"Isn't it?" he meowed to his denmate, grinning slightly. "Walking down is the easy part, but it's good to be here. I haven't felt grass under my paws for moons. You can sit down over here; there's a nice soft clump of ferns." The calico waved his tail invitingly towards the greenery.

Soon, the former TreeClan deputy arrived. He remembered fighting the eagle with her a while ago. Maplefrost still bore the scars from that battle, but he was glad that he'd had an opportunity to get to know his half-sister.

"Hi, Koisplash. I've been well. I trust that TreeClan has recovered since the incident with DeathClan?" The Maine Coon was still a little paranoid, despite the fact that he hadn't seen a single member of the rogue group for about a moon or so.

Moonpool and a FireClan she-cat had also padded over. He knew the orange-furred tom because he was one of Windflurry's former mates, but the IceClanner had never actually met him face-to-face. "Hello, hello. I'm Maplefrost," he greeted.

This was turning out to be a lively little group. Maplefrost had to wonder why there were no RockClan cats yet; surely the fourth Clan had elders? There was only one FireClanner, too. Perhaps others were still on the way...

[Windflurry]

"I'd bother complaining but I think you already know what I'll be complaining about." She mumbled in a irritated voice. Windflurry had been retired for moons- actually probably a full year considering she had retired last summer. ithink

"Do we have to do all this walkiiiing." She hissed. "Oh look more cats. Phenomenal. More background noises." She sighed. She had been the polar opposite of social for such a very long time, barely even getting out of the elders den to chat with Clanmates. She wasn't sure why, she just neglected being the social butterfly she probably once was considered.

"Redstorm you're alive!" She'd barely spoken to the tomcat she considered her friend. She didn't even really see him much at all.. she spent most of her days sleeping and eating. "Koisplash? As in the TreeClan deputy?" She cocked her head in puzzlement. "Oh boy I didn't think you were that old. Guess I was wrong. My time sure does fly then." She looked over at the other elders.

"Oh hey Moonpool." She greeted casually. Well this was a tad bit awkward. The only one that really knew of the minor history between the two was Maplefrost. Thank the stars of CloudClan for that and he probably wouldn't bring it up. But she was tempted to ask how Shadowbird and Littlepool were, but she was again hesitant for that.

"Sooooo, hello." She greeted the elder from FireClan. "Think you are the only one here I'm not familiar with. Name's Windflurry."

[Leopardripple]

Realizing that she hadn't spoken, the elder lifted her head "I'm Leopardripple, I'm sure a lot of you have met my cousins such as Skywing, Ashmist, Oakshade, Ashfang, Ravensong, Scourge, Raven, Shade .. ya I have a big family." she said and then blinked as she looked around "Oh Cloudclan, looks like I left Hawkbreeze behind .. oh well he'll find his way .. do any of you know if there is Rockclan elders? That's the only scent I ain't picking up" muttered the she-cat as she blinked her dull lime green eyes.

[Hawkbreeze]

Hawkbreeze stomped his way to the clearing, his tail lashing angrily. Just like her to leave me behind. Doesn't she realize I don't have a great eye anymore? Sheesh. The tabby and white tom walked into the clearing, seeing the gathered elders. He gave them all a nod before he recognized Maplefrost. He felt his hackles raise slightly. His eyes shot daggers at the tricolored cat. You. The one-eyed cat flicked his tail before sitting beside Leopardripple, speaking his name.

"Yes, I am Hawkbreeze. Thanks for helping me out, Leo." he said sarcastically, giving her a snort. Hawkbreeze lifted his hind leg to scratch his ear. The FireClan elder couldn't get that feeling of hostility off his back at the sight of Maplefrost. He felt almost ashamed that he came with one eye instead of two.

Hawkbreeze noticed three IceClan elders and three TreeClan elders. It seemed like he and Leoaprdripple were one short of making it even with the other two clans. "They probably don't want to come to an elder meeting. Some cats are like that."

[Moonpool]

Moonpool nodded in acknowledgment as Maplefrost introduced himself and his attention was taken away from the tom as a very familiar face greeted him. Moonpool's eyes grew wider slightly as he heard Windflurry begin to address Koisplash. He had not known she was an elder, though it only made sense since they were around the same age. It was just a bit unexpected... and fairly awkward. They had not spoken in many moons. He did not even know if she knew what had happened to Littlepool or if he should mention it.

" Hello Windflurry, I am glad to see you are well" he chirped in reply with a small and slightly nervous grin. He did not really know how to react to seeing her after so much time, so he would just try to keep casual. The tom glanced away from Windflurry to note what Leopardripple was saying. It appeared this at was related to his current mate Ashfang and he noticed they had a bit of resemblance. Moonpool now also noticed another cat join them, the cat that the she-cat from Fireclan had left behind. Moonpool chipped a mew in greeting before looking about only wondering if these meetings had a purpose or if they were just for meeting up with other elders.

[Koisplash]

Koisplash flicked her ears in response to Maplefrost, glancing over briefly at Moonpool as he came into the clearing after her. "Yes, we're well now. Getting better, at least. DeathClan's been harsh on everyone," she replied. She was admittedly still a bit on edge, but the incident had passed and she was glad for that.

She looked up as other cats began to arrive. Windflurry was next, and it took her a second, blinking, to register what she'd said. She laughed slightly awkwardly. "Uh, yes, the TreeClan deputy. Former, now. Eyesight problems and all that. It's good to see you too, Windflurry."

I'm actually younger than Beechstar, she mentally added, but decided not to say.

"Hello, Leopardripple, Hawkbreeze," she said in greeting. She took a moment to scan the clearing. Certainly a bit less than she'd expecting, but by no means scanty.

Her tail tip twitched slightly as she heard Hawkbreeze's response to Leopardripple's comment on the conspicuous lack of RockClan elders. Although she privately agreed, she found it a bit hard to believe no RockClan elders at all would appear.

"So, I presume we're all here, then," she commented to no one in particular.

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Maplefrost glanced over at Redstorm, expecting a response, but the old tabby seemed to be fast asleep. He chuckled softly and returned his attention. Perhaps he would be irritated that he'd missed things when he woke, but it had been a long trip down from IceClan. He deserved a little rest before they headed back.

The Maine Coon's mate, Windflurry, soon turned up; she must have lagged behind without him noticing. Though grumpy at first, the she-cat quickly began to enjoy the little gathering. Maplefrost grinned and glanced over at Leopardripple, who had finally given her name. He felt as though he'd heard it at some point before. Unsure how to answer the question about RockClan elders, Maplefrost turned his attention elsewhere.

For the bushes had begun to rustle again, and a painfully-familiar cat appeared. Hawkbreeze. So he's an elder too? He returned the glare, and felt a rush of vengeful satisfaction when he realized that the FireClanner had also now lost the use of one eye. I'll have to thank whoever did that; we're even now.

Looking towards the two TreeClan elders, Maplefrost addressed Koisplash. "Indeed. IceClan has also been recovering, but we continue to keep watch for signs that DeathClan may be returning." He twitched his ears; the Clans' oppression wasn't exactly fun to remember.

"I believe that we are all in attendance. So, what do all of you wish to discuss?" Since he was the one who had mostly organized the event, Maplefrost felt that it was his job to get things officially running before the meeting turned into a mess.

[Leopardripple]

"Hey! I thought you were right behind me, not my fault I'm still faster then you" the elder joked slashing her tail from side to side as she glared at him lightly. Then she sighed and lay down her head "Figures .. oh well, I get to meet the other clans elders I suppose" she said lightly as looked over at the other cats. I'm tired of seeing Hawkbreeze's face, so time to stare at others while I have the chance. she thought.

The elder flicked her ear as the whole issue of Deathclan was brought up and she sighed "Deathclan .. can't they ever leave us alone? I swear." she muttered. Leopardripples eyes gazed over to the Maine Coon Calico type cat as he asked what all them wished to discuss. The she-cat shrugged her shoulders lightly as she sighed.

"I have honestly no idea, this is all to new to me I'm still figuring out stories in my head of what I should tell kits and what I shouldn't" she explained.

[Hawkbreeze]

Hawkbreeze could feel the tension grow between him and Maplefrost as they locked eyes. I would give anything to take the sight out of his other eye. Maybe even remove the eye. The tabby lashed his tail before looking away from the other elder. "You know I have a difficult time seeing in the dark," he mumbled to himself, giving her a glare.

Hawkbreeze nodded to Koisplash, one of the famed warriors of TreeClan. "Hello, Koisplash." The tabby tom glanced around at the others. He didn't recognize anyone else besides Maplefrost and Koisplash.