APRIL 2015 GATHERING

[Spidermask]

Lionstrike

She'd heard that Applefall had retired. So this was her replacement. Well, she seemed nice enough, though something about her continously put Spiderleaf on edge. "It's nice to meet you, I'm glad you're enjoying yourself so much. Being a queen certainly has its rewards."

THIS IS
THE
NEW YEAR

✪

[Deleted]

Raggedpaw sighed, defeated by her logic. It made sense, but that didn't make it any easier to stay awake. "I just hope I don't have to train too early tomorrow," he murmured around another yawn. Though, considering the fact that there were three cats trying to train him, it seemed unlikely that he'd be allowed to sleep in.

The tom chuckled at her open statement, leaning down to lick at his chest fur in embarrassment. She'd taken it so well that he felt a little bad for saying it in the first place. "I'm certainly not a statue of perfection either" He was hoping that stating that obvious fact might even bring them closer, since he'd come so close to accidentally insulting her just a moment before. "Oh wow, that sounds just as confusing as my situation," he laughed, eyes slitting with amusement. "Maybe next moon we'll both have our warrior names. I'd love to talk to you again then?"

[Firebird]

Firepaw purred as the RockClan apprentice stifled a yawn. "I usually get up early by myself. I like seeing the sun rise. It's really pretty, and it gives me motivation." she admitted, glancing up at the stars and almost expecting the sun to appear at its name. It didn't. Obviously.

When Raggedpaw went on to make up for the comment he had made, Firepaw couldn't help but giggle. He really didn't need to insult himself just for a slight slip of the tongue-and something she wasn't angry at, either. Yet that just proved he was a polite and respectful tom, so she gave him a bonus in kindness. RockClan cats certainly are polite. she thought, having got the first impression by their claws they were proud and perhaps independent warriors. Of course, there was nothing wrong with that-she wasn't against them at all. But you have to give her some slack, considering the ginger apprentice had never set paw outside her own territory before.

"I don't think anyone is. But your not too bad." she meowed, her left ear twitching from the cold. When he mentioned next time, Firepaw purred and dipped her head in agreement. She certainly would be pleased to go again, and would make sure she met the apprentice, too. "It's a promise, then. I'll hold you to your word." Firepaw replied, moss-green eyes reflecting her happiness. It was strange, being friends with the enemy... if you thought of other cats as that. She had been taught these cats were bad, and she had sworn her loyalty to protect FireClan at all costs. But friendship didn't hurt anyone, did it? Especially if she didn't hesitate to carry out her duties, even at the risk of losing her ties with other cats.

Firepaw was a loyal FireClanner. And she hoped, if RockClan and FireClan ever battled, Raggedpaw would understand if they were faced against each other. But hey, there's nothing like that now. the ginger she-cat thought, keeping her face in the kind expression. No reason to think ahead, right? We're not enemies here, and I don't want to ever be if I'm not forced to.

Against all better judgement, Firepaw couldn't stop curiosity from overpowering her. "You and Earthpaw were going to meet up, right? Isn't that against the warrior code?" Instantly, she flattened her ears. It wasn't any of her business what he did, or Earthpaw for that matter. She felt shame swell up in her chest, and Firepaw looked away quickly. "Or-uh-it's not my place to tell you this. So, sorry. I won't tell anyone-I swear." Now look who slipped up.

[Deleted]

Raggedpaw winced at her words, almost pained just thinking about the sunrise. "Not me. I think I'd die if I had to get up early every day, let alone choose to." He laughed, though now looked at Firepaw with more curiosity. She seemed almost unnatural now. In a good way of course, an interesting way. "I prefer sleep-ins. Long sleep-ins." He was very empathetic about that.

It was nice to see Firepaw displaying emotion so easily. If he was honest, it was surprising. Well, only because he held so many accidental prejudices' against the other clans. It wasn't through his own fault, it was how every clan cat was raised. "'Not too bad' is the best evaluation I've had so far. I think I'll stick with it," Raggedpaw laughed good-naturedly. He wasn't someone that usually received or accepted praise, but it seemed different coming from another clan. "Count on it." He agreed with a firm nod.

Hesitaiton and guilt crossed his features. He felt even worse when Firepaw felt she had done something wrong. "N-no, I'm the one in the wrong here. You can tell, if you like. I can't ask you to do that." He scuffed his paw in the dirt for a moment. "We were, and it is. I don't know, I kind of got pulled into it. I mean, friends are supposed to see each other, right? It was a little hard to say no to."

[Firebird]

Firepaw giggled again at his obvious liking to sleep. She hadn't met a cat who would want to spend all day just napping in their nest, and she certainly was quite happy she had found someone opposite to her. Though she didn't see any liking herself in sleeping the day away, when the Clan needed food and borders patrolled, and she could run around and talk with friends. You couldn't do that with your eyes closed and your mind distant, could you? Well, maybe not purposely. As I find sleeping in odd, I bet it is the same he thinks of me. she thought, not finding anything bad about that at all. "How can you sleep all day, though? I mean... don't you get tired of it?" she asked, rather curious with the answer. Did cats go through hibernation, maybe? That was a funny thought.

Thinking about the next Gathering led her to thinking about becoming a warrior. Would she be a good cat? Would she even get her name? She didn't want to over think her future, and then be drawn to imagine more dark and demented paths she never liked to travel. But to be honest, she was a bit scared. Becoming a warrior was such a big step, from swearing full loyalty to keeping the Clan well-fed. It wasn't just getting more privileges or becoming an idol to kits. It was something much greater than that. And... it kinda scared her. What if she failed? Failed everything she had worked up to, and everyone she had ever loved? It could happen. But then it could happen to anyone, like Raggedpaw himself. And was he scared to become something greater like that? Probably not. ((really don't know where I was going with this....))

When Raggedpaw mentioned telling, Firepaw bristled. "I won't tell-that would be the most horrid thing I could do." she said, flicking her tail against his flank and huffing. "Don't even think for one moment I would betray you-or Earthpaw, for that matter. I'm not that mean. And... yeah, I guess friends are suppose to meet each other. And it did seem like you didn't have a choice in the matter." At her last words, the bit of anger-if you could even describe it as such-faded to reveal amusement, and she snickered under her breath. "It was kinda funny watching you two. Earthpaw certainly is interesting. Kinda wish I got to know her a little better... well, I mean, she did pretty much ignore me earlier." Firepaw showed not a hint of sadness at that. Why would I tell? Especially since I just met him! And it's not like I'm against meeting friends across the borders. Pausing, she added a little softer. "And I really am sorry for bringing it up. It isn't my business what you do. I didn't think and made you feel guilty, and now I feel guilty which helps no one." She blinked, and added with a bit more cheer, "Bossy she-cat, right? I told you I was one of them."

[Deleted]

Raggedpaw grinned at Firepaw. He wasn't sure if she was confused or just curious, but either way it amused him greatly to see her so interested in his sleeping habits. He'd never known being lazy could make him so interesting. "Well when I'm sleeping, I suppose I'm not aware of whether I'm tired of it or not," he supplied, probably being pretty unhelpful with his answer. "Sleep is the best."

The fur on Raggedpaw's shoulders rose and he flexed his claws, already relaxing just thinking about his nest back in camp. Unlike Firepaw, his thoughts weren't easily domainted by such heavy burdens, not that he knew that. He was ready to face his responsibility if necessary, and he was also perfectly content to continue as an apprentice. Truly Raggedpaw was an easy-going tom, never in a great rush to get from one place to another. He simply drifted as life instructed.

His expression became a combination of bashful and awkward. "Sorry, I didn't mean to imply you would. But really, I can understand that loyalty to your clan should come first." A little hesitant, he tipped his head and grimaced before laughing sharply. "I suppose I'm not very good at turning people down. She was pretty insistent, and I enjoy making others happy." Tp him his own personal happiness usually came after others. Not through any active decision, but because it was second nature to him. "No, I needed to feel guilty. It was a foolish thing to agree to," Raggedpaw protested with worry in his eyes. He didn't want to drive away one of his newest friends already.

[Firebird]

Firepaw shrugged. "I would rather run around than sleep. But then again, I'm not like other cats." she meowed, giving a yawn against what she had been saying before. Of course, right now sleep doesn't sound too bad. she mused, her shoulders shivering for a moment. Though, I don't want to go home yet. I rather stay and talk to Raggedpaw. It was kinda strange. She wanted to stay and chat with a tom from another Clan than head back and see her friends. Was that disloyal, or just friendly? It's not like I see him ever day. There is nothing bad about wanting to see someone you wouldn't talk to again for another moon. In fact, it's just sad how traditions are. The border marked where cats stayed and couldn't cross over-a home needing protection by the very warriors who live within it. But it divided cats who were not that much different from one another. How was that wise?

Firepaw nodded gently when he apologized, and offered a sweet smile again. "Nah. Its fine. And loyalty to my Clan does come first... but your not hurting anyone." When he went on, she giggled. "Yeah, I could see that. And it's better to make others happy than sad, right?" She personally was the same way. Happiness was meant to share with others before herself, otherwise she had no reason to be joyful. It was just... kindness, maybe? She wasn't sure. Just a feeling to be nice and make others feel the same way she usually did. Raggedpaw is the same... I think. Firepaw thought, her tail curling up and the tips of her ears twitching. If only he was in the same Clan. I can see us becoming friends-maybe even best friends. But our loyalties lie across different borders. And nothing in CloudClan could make me change my home. At least, not at the moment. Though, she could at least be friends with him now. Maybe not as close as if he were a FireClanner, but good enough. "Foolish but brave. Putting rules aside to keep your friendships is daring. But I respect you for that."

Tilting her head, she got a small-perhaps idiotic-suggestion. "Maybe we could do the same. I mean, you seem like an amazing cat. And if you don't mind me being... well, me... then we could stay friends." Pausing, she realized how pathetic she really was. Moments before, she had asked him about meeting enemy cats outside of warrior supervision, with the tone as if he had done something wrong. And here she was, bringing up the same thing. Was she an idiot? "Or-uh-never mind. Forget what I said, kay?"