Meetings in the Refuge

[Madelaine]

Ebonypaw stayed far away from his family. He didn't really want to go near them right now. He didn't feel he deserved to. The apprentice settled down near the back of the crowd, not wanting to interact with anybody at the moment.

Citrusflower looked over at her son with her yes. It felt weird to see her kits and every one of her clanmates, but she'd get used to it. The queen settled down, feeling Oakkit lay down beside her. That kit hadn't left her side, since he thought she was gone forever.

[Confuzzled.Lynx]

Thornpaw made her way over to the crowd.

[Dark Flame]

Time for a good old meeting again! Owlriddle couldn’t help but thank the stars for this. After being driven from their territory, he had been quivering, anxiously waiting for some good news. If we get anymore misfortune, I’m going to lose it...

His gray fur stuck up nervously, the black fur around his chest falling down limply, his tail swishing the ground delicately. Let’s just hope... that’s all we can do now...

[ OPEN ]

[skreelyshark]

Tawnypaw walked over to the bustling crowd of cats. There were cats with injuries and worse: cats who looked defeated.

He felt an unfamiliar anger brewing in him at the injustice of it all. His clan was ambushed and thrown into this sorry state. His fur bristled and he looked around for Cherrypaw, planning to calm himself down with her fun optimism.

@~RooRoo~

[Finpaw]

Finpaw gathered with the rest of his bedraggled clanmates, fidgety and on-edge after the battle they’d all just been through; it was his first, and they’d lost. Badly enough that they’d been cast out of their rightful home entirely. The shame of it ate away at him.

He was downcast, but hearing Icestar’s voice call out over the others’ for a clan meeting rekindled some of his hope. They still had their great leader! Surely, she’d have the perfect plan for getting revenge against WindClan and reclaiming ShadowClan’s great status- right?

So he settled in, and listened intently.

[Moon Lily]

Irisflame gathered her crippled limbs around her as she sat, her deep blue orbs staring up at the leader curiously. She had stated to the medicine cat that she'd announce a warrior ceremony or two, as well as those for the dead apprentices. But she could not imagine what other tricks the older she had up her fluff. There was always more to be expected.

*

Berrybounce sat near the back, cradling her recent pudge protectively. She wasn't in the mood to yell absurdities out into the crowd, nor giggle obnoxiously with some rando 'paw, so she'd decided to stay put. After all, the raid didn't leave the clan in the best mood. Neither her, she had to admit.

[pidgeon]

High Rank Announcement [#hrannouncement]

Icestar didn't feel like waiting for everyone to gather, seeing as most of the clearing could probably hear her just fine anyways. It was, to say the least, a bit of a downgrade from their old camp. The leader was not looking forward to addressing this situation with the Clan which she had failed.

"I know every one of us is tired, and our spirits are low. I unfortunately cannot tell you how long we'll be staying here, as there's no way of determining a set amount of time. But I assure you all, I will not rest until ShadowClan is safely back in its own territory and all is as it should be. We will stay here until we are healed and fit, and then we will take action. With any luck it won't be long. We can't let this drag our spirits down. When all else is lost, ShadowClan still has its pride. We will show the other clans that we are adaptable, and we will surge back greater than before. This is my promise to you." Her tone was serious as she made her speech, and her tail flicked back and forth with emotion. She had failed them, and now she had to make it right. However she could.

"We mourn the losses of Dewkit, Vulturekit, and Birchpaw. Birchpaw [ @~RooRoo~ ] was due to receive his warrior ceremony along with his denmates, but received fatal injuries from the battle.

StarClan, if you are to take this young tom's spirit, you will take him as a warrior. With my power as leader of ShadowClan, I send this apprentice to you with his warrior name--Birchpelt. Watch over him well in death...at least better than you watched over him in life." Icestar was bitter as she spoke the tragic, macabre ceremony for a deceased warrior. She hated that this was something that she had to do, something that had happened at all. The Clan was desperate for good news, of any kind. Thankfully, she did have some good news.

"In the aftermath of our defeat, not all is lost. I believe it is time to recognize the strength and devotion of a certain group of apprentices.

Frostpaw [ @bmkmb ], Doepaw [ @Arie ], Lilypaw [ @kittygirl ], Croakingpaw [ @Zesty Mango ], Ribbitpaw [ @Puddle~ ], Dreampaw [ @hope ], Thornpaw [ @Lynxpaw ], Nightpaw [ @Estelle ], Foggypaw [ @Elementals ], and Ebonypaw [ @Sparkling Flower ]. If you are well enough to do so, come forward."

[JackHunt_17]

Blizzardpaw came.

[Confuzzled.Lynx]

@Cas

Thornpaw stepped forward from the crowd, the wounds under her jaw slowly healing to become scars. The golden-brown mackerel's copper eyes were shining with curiosity.

[nocturnal]

@Cas

He was late... at least in terms of getting into the crowd. Then again, it didn't seem as if many cats were there already. His leader's voice rank out through the clearing and Frostpaw tried to listen. He was distracted, though, by who knew what. It wasn't until his name was called that he looked up; thank the guardians that Icestar had a sharp voice. If not, he might have missed it. Step... forwards? A ceremony. It must have been, with the amount of apprentices that had been called. Suddenly, the question on names earlier made much more sense. Was he well enough to step forwards? Despite feeling like a dead sparrow on his feet, he was well enough to walk, although some would undoubtedly disagree. Mentally trying to shake off any signs of exhaustion, Frostpaw took a hopefully confident step forwards, finding himself beside a few other apprentices and in front of the crowd. Well... that was nice. Why did it suddenly feel so cold, then?