The Time Is Now! (RiverClan Meeting)

[Tikker]

The sound of her beating heart pounded in her ears as the young cat paced back and forth. The dark brown she-cat knew what had to be done, she didn't like it, but she knew. The time had come, RiverClan had gone to long without a leader or deputy now. Her Clan needed a leader, one who would stand on the Pool Rock and speak to the Clan.

Briarheart knew she wasn't that cat, she knew she could never be the leader of RiverClan, she wasn't the best choice. "I mean even Dewstream and Silkgrass are better canidates for become RiverClan's leader than I am." She whispered these words to herself. Looking around the camp she saw a few cats still up, Briarheart just couldn't take the fact that she's probably the only cat thinking about this.

Closing her eyes, she thought about it. Briarheart knew that no cat was probably going to get on that rock and speak to the Clan, and she knew she would have to do it. As she lifted her head to look at the stars, she opened her eyes again. The bright light of the moon gleamed in her amber eyes. Gathering up the courage in her heart, Briarheart made her way to the top of the Pool Rock.

"All those cats old enough to catch their own prey, join here beneath the Pool Rock for a Clan meeting!" Briarheart's voice rang loud even past the small cracks in her voice. She noticed the other cats gathered to listen, she couldn't tell who was there from the glare of the moon but she could scent them.

"I hate to say this, but RiverClan needs a new leader! We have been living without a leader and a deputy for to long. Anyone who believes they would be right to become our new leader, please speak up and come forth. We should go to the Moonpool to see whom StarClan chooses to be RiverClan's new leader."

Staring down at the other cats in her Clan, she watched to see who would speak up and come join her. Their Clan needs a new leader, and with that leader a new deputy, so the other Clans wouldn't think of them as weak.


((I know it's horrible! But I tried!))

[faythe]

Oh boy! It was raining again. How the she-cat loved the rain, its soft drops or heavy dews that fell from the heavens and into the lands of the mere living. Fawn feather always had loved the rain, it reminded her of her brother - Stormstripe - a cat that had given his life away in a fight against a badger many moons ago. Her bright-eyed gaze wandered about the camp as cats strolled in and out from their own patrols and hunts, the clan had grown fat and lazy since it's time without a leader and deputy, usually doing what it pleased when it pleased...and there had been no gathering or apprentices in moons. The she-cat sighed heavily, moving to make the call for the clan to gather and do something about this just as another she-cat stood from the Pool Rock and called for them to gather.

A small grin flash across her face as she recognized the cat, "Briarheart!" she said with a laugh and a call as she quickly made her dancing way across the floor of the camp which had yet to flood. With nimble footsteps she was there within what seemed like a heart beat, her head thingyed to the side with an amused glance as she put on her best face as proceeded to joke around with her friend. "Always one step ahead of me aren't you!" Of course, she was rather thankful for the she-cat to do the announcing, for this she-cat was secretly afraid of it. She squirmed as the clan began to gather, her eyes twitching from one side of the camp to the other as she ducked under the shade of the large structure and lay down to watch them all approach.

"GET AHOLD OF YOURSELF!" her thoughts screamed as she took a deep breath to try and calm her own mind. On the outside, she appeared calm and collected, if not slightly agitated that the rest of them were moving so slowly. However, she held a dark secret in her heart - she thought she wasn't who they thought she was. Her nose twitched, followed by and ear, and then a leg as she stood and moved to jump up onto the rock besides Briarheart, the chicken side of her overruled as her stronger side fought for control. She sat, a simple action, as her crystal blue gaze watched her fellow clan mates move forward, all hopefuls for the position of leader. So it would begin soon. Her head dipped in greeting as she met each cats eye, thoughts virtually blank for the moment in her time not to be loosing control.

The rain pattered steadily as all the cats of the clan gathered to see who would go. Her body relaxed sightly as she recognized the faces of her clan mates, a few of them whom she knew better than others. From above on Pool Rock she could see the outskirts of camp, it was a beautiful sight. The tangy smell of fish hung in the air, a scent she wouldn't ever forget. As Briarheart had said, it was time for this clan to become stronger again. That meant a new leader, a new deputy, perhaps Minnowpaw would get her Medicine cat name and take over that position. There were warriors to be made, and apprentices to be mentored, patrols to be done and gatherings to attend. Oh how she missed these things! So she would wait, wait as her clan came to see once again who would go - and she would go. Perhaps she would find faith in StarClan again...see her family and friends again...why not risk the chance?

[c e d a r *]

His mud-streaked pelt shone dully as the tom moved gracefully into the camp, his muscles stiff and sore. All he wanted to do after dropping off his two fish was sleep. And then he heard Briarheart's call and an annoyed glance swept over his stunning features. The rain was really getting the best of him. Prey on land was scarce because of their flooded lands and because the river was up so high and everything seemed to have him on edge at the moment. A small sigh escaped his normally talkative lips and he sat down with a slap in the mud, and her curled his tail stiffy around his normally white paws. His eyes were narrowed toward the ground, his ears still, and his breathing seeming to be the only life in him. Truthfully, the tom didn't feel well at all, but he kept himself quiet and said nothing, knowing that others would step forward and make their way eagerly to the Moonpool, hoping to be made the newest leader of RiverClan. He opened his mouth and spoke quietly, his voice rasping the smallest bit.

"I will stay here in camp and guard it with my life. With most of the strong cats' gone to the Moonpool, I would love to stay here. I have no need to become the next leader of RiverClan," he meowed softly, scooting back in defeat, a defeat that wasn't really a defeat at all. He wasn't wanting the role of leader, he loved being a warrior. Sure, duties were a way of all of the warriors, and he would love to lead his Clan, but he knew he wasn't it. He would rather stay back with everyone else and help guard the camp from intruders and whatnot. Maybe do some hunting...or get some well needed rest.

Really, the male warrior had been working his tail off, spending most of his days hunting and patrolling. He was barely able to be off his feet unless it was at night, and that was if he wasn't on the moonhigh patrol. In a state like this, he knew he was especially in bad shape to arrive at the Moonpool and possibly speak with his warrior ancestors. He didn't want to be the leader, and he knew plenty of others would have a better chance at receiving their nine lives than him. He would be happy to help any of the cats' in the Clan, and hopefully be able to stand happily by the next leader and deputy chosen. As a warrior, he would stand proud and help with anything he could. He knew once the Clan was put on the right track they would begin to rise once more, and hopefully they would gain more warriors. If this rain kept up, though, he didn't know what would happen. Sooner or later, they'd need to push themselves onto higher ground. The lake level was rising dramatically and the streams were rushing angrily into it. Staring off into the sky, the warrior kept quiet as he waited for others to speak, a small but stuff smile spread over his maw.

[Fox]

A small she-cat studied the meeting, her blue eyes glowing in intensity. Her heart fluttered, and blood roared in her eyes. Her paws kneaded the ground in anticipation. Should she speak up?

Rainstorm looked at Briarheart, grateful that she had been brave enough to address the issue of being without a leader. Now, though, a big decision was soon to be made. I could be that cat, she thought. I would make a good clan leader.

Fear of scorn, and accusations from her clanmates of being too ambitious, filled her head. She shook herself to clear her thoughts. She would wait, instead, for a decision. Maybe Starclan would send a sign, on who would be the next Riverclan leader.

Rainstorm wanted the position badly. She knew she would lead her clan well. But she was just as easily willing to let someone else be leader. Even if she just stayed as a regular warrior, she could still serve her clan. I will be happy with any outcome. She told herself silently, then focused her gaze on Briarheart, to see what the brave she-cat did next.

[Fernear!]

silkgrass

She hadn't been asleep. Who could sleep when your den was on the verge of becoming a mud puddle and the sky was threatening to feed a flood? RiverClan's territory had been affected the most by the constant torrent of rain. The reeds would forever grow slanted because of the never-ending movement of water against their brittle stalks. Most of the young trees that had sprouted in the past five or ten years were slowly being drowned from the overflow, the evidence was shown clearly from their fading leaves. The amount of bugs that resided inland from the lake had skyrocketed, although as you neared the lake the pests began to become fewer and fewer. It was a small comfort when all there was, was rain.

And then there was Silkgrass. A gloomy cat to match a gloomy night. As earlier stated, the golden-brown she-cat had yet to fall asleep. She sat facing the lake and its turbulent waters, waiting, waiting for the moment the clouds would let up, or the horizon would show promising skies. Her gaze was unbroken, literally glued to the distant picture. Silkgrass's body was static, the only movements were the subtle gestures made by her ears and tail. A frown was drawn across her maw; it too was stationary; until Briarheart called. "All those cats old enough to catch their own prey, join here beneath the Pool Rock for a Clan meeting!" Dragging, literally dragging herself across the gooey clearing, Silkgrass made her way towards the gathering felines of RiverClan.

Sitting herself down with a thud sent a spark through her unknowing spine which ended up as a growl of discontent. No greetings were said; she just simply showed her face to let her clan know she was still hunting for them, still fighting for them, still loyal to them. She nodded curtly to the directing she-cat on the Pool Rock as she digested everything the cats were saying. When silence fell over the crowd she spoke up.

"Well are you going then? I myself will stay back and guard the camp with Dewstream but you cats should get a move on. It's nearly moonhigh, I can feel it."

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[Fox]

Rainstorm jumped, startled by Silkgrass, and quickly looked around, embarassed, hoping no one had seen her. It is time we head to the Moonpool. She thought, looking up at the rain storm above her. Heh. Rain storm. Rainstorm. She arched her back and stood up, reveling in the rain. She loved the water, lived and breathed it. The rain felt good on her fur, but she hoped it didn't flood the rivers too much.

The gray tabby looked around, knowing the other cats would soon get up and get ready to travel. The tiny she-cat wondered who Starclan would pick. Whoever they pick will be the best cat to lead Riverclan. She thought, trusting in Starclan's decision. Rain ran in rivulets down her white muzzle, and her water-colored eyes surveyed the clan around her. "Well, we best be going then." She mewed, in her normal, brusque manner.

[andtheyflock]

[ LARK|SONG ]

the dust has only just began...

...to form...

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Rain splattered to the earth, watering the forest as it did. There would be no silence tonight, that was for sure. Though some didn't mind. The moon held overhead, breaking through the thin (yet still heavily pouring, drat it) clouds that attempted to marr it from existance.

Larksong happened to be one of those who didn't mind the noise. Currently she sat at the mouth of the warrior den, swiping her rough tongue across her slightly muddied fur. Bleh, She thought, annoyance shimmering slightly in her eyes. If only the rain would actually do it's job and wash the nasty tasting blanket over her away. But alas, it didn't, and she was forced to clean it herself, if only so it wouldn't dry and cake her fur together in rough tangles.

She sat in silence, oddly enough, instead of yapping away to whoever walked by while she washed. Tonight she felt ill at ease. Was something bad going to happen...? She didn't know. Or, she thought, boredly, I don't know yet. Suddenly a loud voice interrupted her thoughts, requesting a meeting. Who...?

Ah, Briarheart. Larksong knew her well enough. Not enough to be best friends forever ohmygod, but enough that she knew her name and had a few (possibly onesided) conversations with her. Larksong rose, stretching her back legs as she did, and started her gait towards the rock. She frowned a little as she realized her fur would get even more muddy now. But she had to meet! Briarheart had called a meeting, after all. It would be rude to just sit from afar.

Another cat (Fawnfeather, her mind provided, slightly unsure) said a few joking words to the commanding she-cat. Then she scooted her little tail right next to the first, and Larksong assumed this meant they wanted to be the deputy and leader themselves. Not that she minded; she was sure they both could handle the job well enough. Better having them than no one at all, right? Still, though, she said nothing, not wishing to speak up and say she wanted to try when... she really didn't.

She probably wouldn't be a very good one anyhow.

Her ears suddenly swiveled to a new voice. A low, slightly rapsy one -- but obviously male. How had she not noticed him...? Well, whatever, he was here now. Larksong frowned at him, wondering why he wouldn't at least try. Many cats knew he worked hard, if they were paying attention. Even she, who didn't know his name, saw him doing everything for the clan. He actually sort of ran around, like a mouse...

...Mm, mouse sounded good.

Her mind officially scattered, momentarily forgetting all cats as she stared blankly, thinking about how good a mouse would be right that minute. Would it be rude to go get one during a big, leader-choosing meeting? Probably, but she was already being rude beforehand thinking of who she hoped StarClan wouldn't choose. Larksong herself didn't think she would make a good leader, her attention problems not withstanding. She just wasn't particularly popular, hardworking, or... well, any kind of things that would make a cat want to follow her. It was unlikely StarClan would choose her for anything, and she knew that.

She finally snapped to attention again, but only to get sidetracked by yet another cat.

She paused. And paused, and paused, trying to remember this cat's name. What was it? Something to do with grass... or weeds... or something. Larksong ended up staring at her, watching with unfocused eyes, before she finally snapped out of it without remembering.

"She's right," Larksong added, lamely, nodding her head as if it indicated her point further. The rain, finally reregestering itself in her mind, continued it's constant pour upon the earth.

Maybe the whole clansite will become the Moonpool, she thought, dreamily.


{{i suck. i'd made this post a few days ago and hoped you guys wouldn't finish before i could 'least get a post in with her. if you want me to delete it, since she doesn't really do anything, that's cool too.}}
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