BrightClan | Camp

BrightClan’s camp is a deep scoop in the moor, with boulders and small pines sheltering the edges. One gnarled pine grows in the middle of the camp called the Startree, and one of the low branches is used for meetings.
Warriors den: an abandoned badger’s set, with a few collapsed dens but enough room for them to fit. More often than not, the warriors and apprentices will sleep outside.
Apprentices den: a hollow under a gorse bush, near to the nursery.
Nursery: another large hollow under a gorse bush, however ferns and some smaller plants help plug the gaps.
Medicine den: A deep crevice in a large rock close to the warriors den.
Elders: A bush a lot like the Nursery but smaller and on the far side of camp.
Leaders: An abandoned fox hole underneath the Startree.

OOC: Aqua is going to be busy for the next week so I'm going to open the rp here.

IC: Stagshade shook out the pollen that had drifted from the overhanging pine as he made his way into camp after finishing the sunhigh patrol. The gathering was tonight, and he was looking forward to boasting about his Clan's accomplishments to the other deputies.

Plumdrop finished grooming herself and stood as she looked up into the sky. "Almost Gathering time," she purred to herself.

Rowanscar groomed his chest idly, glancing occasionally up at the sky. He wondered briefly if he'd be called to attend the Gathering, but figured if anything, Aspenflake would be. Stretching out, the scarred tom stood and made his way over to the fresh kill pile.

Tawnyspots padded up to Stagshade, trying to ignore the intense anxiety she was going through for her first Gathering. "Evening" She mewed, barely getting the words out of her mouth. 
ooc: this gave me an intense amount of anxiety and im not sure why

Dovelight stared at the herbs in front of her, everything seeming to swirl into one piece of information. She hadn’t gotten much sleep the last night, so she was a bit tired. Resigning herself to sort out the herbs when she’s not tired, she stood, turning and walking out of the den, nodding towards Stagshade. Intense anxiety filled her at the prospect of the gathering, as it was her first as medicine cat.

Cherrywind padded over to the freshkill pile, glancing behind her at the kits playing. 
Ryekit squeaked loudly and jumped on top of Midnightkit, pretending to bite her brother's ears.

Rabbitpaw rolled his eyes at the loud kits jokingly, gnawing on his evening meal with gusto.

"Evening," Stagshade mewed to Tawnyspots, "How are you feeling?"

"Anxious, but I'm doing alright." Tawnyspots purred "How about you?"

"I'm alright," he mewed, "A little worn down, kind of nervous for the gathering."

Flamepaw trotted into camp, dragging a fat rabbit behind him.

Hawkpaw darted in behind his brother, struggling to keep his speed as he dragged a hare with him. He grumbled and reluctantly slowed, nudging his brother with a muffled purr. 

Aspenflake watched the two apprentices with a small chuckle, moving to her paws and padding to Rabbitpaw. She flicked her tail against his ear. "Ready for the gathering tonight?"

Flamepaw snorted, nudging him back with enough fore to knock his brother off balance.

Hawkpaw stumbled, the weight of the hare being what made him actually fall. He narrowed his eyes at Flamepaw, huffing as he stood again. He dragged the hare to the fresh kill pile.

Flamepaw purred, setting his rabbit down next to his brother's kill. "Sorry, saw the opportunity and took it," he mewed.

Hawkpaw shrugged. "I would've done the same," he meowed and grabbed a songbird, settling down to eat it. "Do you think you're going to the gathering?"

"Hopefully," Flamepaw mewed, stretching out next to him, "Always fun to meet cats from other Clans and hear what's going on around the forest."

"You forgot the part where you flirt with them," Hawkpaw taunted and bit into the bird he'd grabbed after plucking the feathers from it. He was obviously joking, expecting his brother to be as loyal to BrightClan as he himself was.

Flamepaw scoffed and nudged him. "Shh! I would never flirt with a cat from another Clan and actually mean it," he purred.

Hawkpaw snorted and chuckled. "You never know. Isn't WaterClan's medicine cat half-clan?" He set the feathers of his bird aside, planning to bring them to the queens when he was done. "I'm sure her mother didn't plan for a cross-clan relationship," he mewed.

"Yeah, but I'm not her so I don't see what you're implying," Flamepaw grumbled, snatching a field mouse from the pile and swallowing it in a few bites.

"I'm just saying to not rule out the possibility, Flamepaw." Hawkpaw huffed and rolled his eyes, finishing his bird and picking up the feathers. He padded to the nursery, setting the feather inside and mewing, "Here's some feathers for your nests."

Rabbitpaw stretched as he finished his meal, shaking the dust from his pelt and looking around. Aren't we supposed to be going to the Gathering soon? he wondered, frowning a little. 

Plumdrop padded up to the two deputies, dipping her head in respect. "Is Snowystar still not doing well?" she inquired lightly.

"Still sick," Stagshade mewed, awkwardly trying not to make eye contact with the tortoiseshell.

Flamepaw scowled after his brother, then trotted towards Rabbitpaw, tail held high. "Haven't seen you all day," he mewed.

"I've been training," Rabbitpaw grumbled. "Don't think I've had this much dust in my pelt in moons." 

"Ah." Plumdrop sighed softly.

"Yeah, sickness happens though, she'll be fine," Stagshade mewed, deliberately looking away from her.

"Lucky. All I did today was hunt," Flamepaw grumbled.

Rabbitpaw purred softly. "Hey, at least the Gathering's tonight."

From her spot in the medicine den, the soft-furred leader twitched her ears. 
Was it already gathering time? No, it couldn't be... The sun still shone in the sky. Thank goodness, Snowystar still wasn't feeling her best. 
She poked her head out of the bush, glancing around the camp. She still had some time left, although not much. It was probably best if she got some fresh air in her lungs, perhaps that would help her feel better.

Stagshade spotted the sickly leader emerge from the medicine den and pricked his ears, his stubby tail swishing.

"If I even get to go," Flamepaw mewed, "I doubt they'll let all five of us go to the gathering."

"Afternoon, Stagshade- or Evening, perhaps?" She mewed groggily to her deputy, blinking the sleep out of her eyes. 
"The gathering is soon... I've heard there are other new leaders besides me. I must admit, I am a bit nervous." She confessed, laughing sheepishly.

Stagshade nodded, "Dovelight told me as much, it must have been a hard moon for the Clans." Perhaps they came down with the same sickness you have?

“Snowystar.” Dovelight spoke, her tail swishing as she stood behind the leader. “Are you sure you should be out of the den?” She asked her, knowing that if she wanted out, Dovelight wouldn’t be able to stop her.

Tawnyspots flicked her tail "Evening, Snowystar, Dovelight," She mewed, quite concerned for her sick leader "Are you feeling good enough to go?"

“Just wanted some fresh air, I guess. Thank you for your concern, though.” She replied to Dovelight, dipping her head in greeting to Tawnyspots. 
“I‘ll be alright, I mean, we’ve got a gathering to attend soon! Make sure everyone who is going is well fed and feeling their best.”

Duckpuddle padded over to Snowystar in concern. "Maybe you should stay here at camp? None of us want you to get more sick than you already are." he mewed, worry lacing his stature.

Cedarpaw wandered up to his brother Hawkpaw. "Nice catch." he meowed truthfully. "Are you ready for the gathering?" he whispered more quietly, anxiety running through his every nerve. "I'm not sure if I want to go.."

Stagshade stepped in front of Duckpuddle, nubby tail switching. "Give her space," he grumbled, "We don't want anyone else sick."

"Bah, I'll be fine." She remarked with a dismissive flick of her tail. "If it were any other gathering then I might have, but it's my first one... I don't want the other clans getting the impression that I'm weak or cowardly."
She let out a deep sigh.
"I just hope they accept as leader, even if I'm not as good as the leader before myself."

Dovelight rolled her eyes behind Snowystar’s back. “It will not seem weak, nor cowardly if you stay. I can tell the other leaders.” She said, before swallowing. “However, I know you are sometimes too stubborn for your own good, so I must insist on giving you some herbs beforehand.”

“I’m not stu- Ugh, I promise you I am not that sick. But if you insist, I will.” She replied, looking away. She was truly grateful for Dovelight and everything she did, but Snowystar absolutely hated appearing as “weak”. Or... at least that’s how the sick leader viewed it.

Duckpuddle grinned at Stagshade lightly, taking a step back to give him some space. "All cats get sick, Snowystar. There's nothing to be ashamed about. Perks of living in the wild, I guess." he commented from the side.

Stagshade sent a glare Duckpuddle's way, then looked back to Snowystar. "If you do need to stay home, Tawnyspots and I can present for you." he mewed.

“I’m literally fine, thank you.” She said with a huff, turning towards Stagshade. “Is everyone who’s going ready to go-? We should probably start heading over soonish.”

"Uh, you haven't announced who's going yet," Stagshade murmured.

Duckpuddle couldn't keep himself from letting out a quiet snort of laughter, his ears turning red. He whipped around, dipping his head in a goodbye before running off to find his apprentice.

Dovelight rolled her eyes, walking back into her den and collecting a bit of feverfew and honey. She brought it out, placing the moss soaked ball of honey and feverfew in front of Snowystar. “Take this, it’ll help.”

"Right- Uh, I'll announce them in a moment. Thanks, Dovelight." She dipped her head with nervousness and slowly ate the herbs. Yuck.

"Duckpuddle," Snakeheart purred "How's Snowystar? I saw you talking to her."

Tawnyspots nodded "Again if you want Stagshade or I to do anything, we will" She purred, muttering "even though you won't want our help"

Umberdash padded into camp, holding a small mouse in his jaws. Slightly ashamed at his small catch, he quickly placed it onto the edge of the prey pile and walked away. He gazed around camp, looking for Snowystar. Where is she?

Flamepaw saw Duckpuddle and perked up, padding to greet the tom. "Did you see the rabbit I caught?" he mewed.

Petrelflight padded into camp behind Umberdash, a small songbird hanging from her jaws.

Duckpuddle glanced at SNakeheart lopsidedly. "Honestly? She'll be going to this gathering but I think everyone knows that she isn't doing too well. I'm just worried that she'll get even sicker than she already is," he mumbled honestly. His sadness faded when he saw Flamepaw walking up to him though. "Flamepaw! Your hunting is getting really good! Rabbits are super hard to catch for me! Like, they always run away and stuff." he mewed excitedly, tail flicking back and forth in pride.

Snakeheart dipped his head towards Flamepaw "Hopefully the other leaders wouldn't take a sick cat to the gathering" He purred quietly

ooc: SNakeheart, my favourite