Foreboding Signs (Clan Leaders)

[Draven]

Ashstar.

Ashstar.

Her name was Ashstar. It would take getting used to. Many things would take getting used to. Running Lunarclan, meeting with the other clan Leaders on a regular basis, hell getting over Firestar would all take time. His death had been so unexpected, so violent. And she had been helpless to stop it.

”Ashpelt! Run!”
“Firestar!”
“Go, now! Protect the clan!”

She felt it like it was yesterday instead of a week ago. The sound of his cries, the smell of the blood, the sight of those bloodthirsty mongrels, the taste of her tears. She swallowed hard and closed her copper eyes tight to hold back another torrent. She had to be strong in front of the other Leaders or they’d never accept Starclan’s decision. No crying, no tears. Save them for later.

She had her own wound from the attack, and was lucky that was all she’d gotten. She hadn’t run right away, she had tried to drive the dogs from her Leader and her love. Now, she had a gash on her right shoulder to show for it. It was scabbed over now, but you could tell it was deep. She had a limp because of it. She tried to compensate, but it did little to ease the pain.

Finally, she saw it. The circle of equally-sized rocks Firestar had told her about. The meeting area. It was a little ways off from the river, but the sound of its current was still audible from that distance. It gave her slight unease, being so close to the water, but she would have to cope with it. She jumped onto a rock, wincing as her shoulder throbbed. Those mongrels…they’ll pay for this and so much more.

Stars were beginning to come out now, joining the crescent moon to light the night sky. Copper eyes gazed up at the moon for a moment, then closed as she released a caterwaul, summoning the other clan leaders. ”Chosen ones of Starclan, hear me now and convene at the riverside! I bring grave news.” As her call faded into the silence of night, Ashstar allowed herself to cry. After all, no one was here yet. As soon as she heard the approach of one, though, she would quickly wipe her face.

Firestar, I will avenge you.

[±Talonstar±]

It was a quiet, beautiful night.

The stars had begun to flicker in the sky, the crescent moon already shedding its glorious light on their land. It gave Talonstar an easy feeling, like he had been doing his job right; he was protecting and leading his clan right. A soft smile had graced his lips, it had been coming so easily now a days. Normally when in a tight situation he had felt he was not a decent enough leader… but when he and his clan had come out alright… there was no other feeling that could match that… especially what he feels at this moment. The wind ruffled his thick fur lightly and a content sigh was released from his lips and it was sent along the wind.

”Chosen ones of Starclan, hear me now and convene at the riverside! I bring grave news.”

Just as sudden as the wind had passed, Talonstar stood rigid as his head whipped around in the direction of the yowl. Fear and concern… as well as curiosity had flickered within his sharp green pools. Who owned that voice? Who was it that was calling them together? Wary prickled uneasily within his gut, it was not yet time for a gathering… why were they summoned… and by who? It had seemed the peaceful feeling had never existed, Talonstar stood unbending he was debating whether or not he should bring his deputy with him, or the Medicine cat he has confined in for so long.

But they were not the ones being summoned.

With a light curse under his breath he took off in the direction of the riverside, uneasiness still prickled uncomfortably within his gut and his mind. What grave news… will it effect him and his dear clan? Why now… why now when everything seemed so right?

The sound of the river grew stronger each leap the large Maine Coon mix took, and his steps didn’t falter until he saw a familiar shape up ahead. The Aeroclan leader took a deep breath and let it out slowly as he approached his head held high, proud… shielding the doubt and wariness that loomed within him.

A warrior?
Talonstar racked his brain for a moment, he indeed recognized her. His eyes narrowed for a brief moment as he thought and then it finally hit him... although he wasn't sure if he got the name right.

”...Ashpelt? Why have you summoned us?” he spoke finally his gaze soft, not judging why a warrior of Lunarclan would call the leaders together…

Odd... suspicious.
Of course Talonstar battled with his untrustworthy nature.

…

”Where is Firestar…?” he asked carefully, Talonstar was not one to poke and prod where his nose didn’t belong. Why had she come alone?

Oh the questions plagued this fearful leader.
But none left his mind.
He will not show any weakness.

[Draven]

((Posting because I feel like it.))

It took some time for the first to arrive. Likely the Leaders were wary of this unfamiliar voice. Hell, she would have been. The first to appear was the Leader of the Aeroclan, Talonstar. He was understandibly confused by her presence in this place. Thus she did not feel insulted when he used her old name.

”...Ashpelt? Why have you summoned us?”

Ashstar stood, jumped off her boulder, and walked towards the larger male. "My voice will grow tired if I must reiterate the attack on my clan five times, so forgive me when I say I'm going to wait for the others before saying why."

"Where is Firestar…?"

Ashstar's fur bristled. Firestar. That name which had once brought her such joy now brought pain that made the shoulder wound pale in comparison. Ears went back and Ashstar looked away. She was silent and still, then turned to go back to her boulder. At its base, she looked back at Talonstar. "...Dead." She jumped back onto her rock and curled up on it. Talonstar could ask as many questions as he wanted. Nothing more would be said until the other four were present.

[±Talonstar±]

((keep interest flowing))

His green eyes watched the female carefully, the way she looked, they way her tail moved. He wanted answers but he didn’t want to rush her. That was not like him, but the uneasy feeling within his gut urged him to say something else… something curt and short tempered. But with all the will power he had, he had suppressed his panicky nature. Why he was made leader… deputy even… he doesn’t even know. His loyalty maybe, his unyielding urge to please all that are in his clan… the love for his clan? Well he guessed those were good enough reasons.

"My voice will grow tired if I must reiterate the attack on my clan five times, so forgive me when I say I'm going to wait for the others before saying why."

She had jumped off her rock and approached him, he often forgot that his heritage made him slightly bigger than most of the cats around here. But he was a gentle giant and would never harm a hair on any of them unless his clan was threatened. Surprise flickered within his eyes, lingering there as he searched her eyes for more answers… pain… he felt pain… was it her manner that was giving off this feeling… or was it his own. Him and Firestar respected each other greatly (guess), so would he be feeling this pain for the potential loss and destruction.

Was Firestar tending to his clan while his mess-

"...Dead."

The large male had stood then, a sudden movement, quick like his moorland reflexes had taught him. His pelt bristled for a moment… in anger and surprise but his eyes reflected only a quarter of the pain that was within this grey warriors heart. His eyes finally focused on her… she was indeed wounded by his death. So… who was their new leader… was it she? No… what about the clan deputy? Talonstar sat back down, his muscles tense but he bowed his head and uttered a prayer to Starclan hoping they guided him to them.

”I’m sorry…” he spoke honesty flowing off of him in waves. He was truly sorry for their loss… That would be all he would say until the other leaders have come. It was her right to keep this information from him… this is something that needed to be said to all of them.