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Description
Sootstar and Herringstar chat at a gathering.

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@/wardencarver

The small, energetic leader of Tideclan bounced of their stone podium, happy and satisfied with their clan's announcement. They sniffed the fresh, crisp air of night- a beautiful night it was, that's for sure! Herringstar smiled as they glanced around, until their bright sunny eyes landed on the dark leader of Cliffclan. Perhaps he'd be up for a chat before the night ends?

Trotting over to the bigger warrior, letting out a friendly purr in greeting as they caught up to him. "Hey there, Sootie! I hope you don't mind if I joined you before we part ways?" Herringstar inquired, offering Sootstar a kind, warm smile.

@/mageanders

The announcements had been more of the same, the three leaders giving their speeches and proceeding to allow for some mingling of the clans. It had been getting better, five moons after the war, but it was by no means a loving atmosphere- there was still a blanket of tension over all the cats, Sootstar included. The Cliffclan leader bunched his muscles and leaped down carefully.

Yellow eyes flashed in mild surprise as the leader of Tideclan came strutting on up to the smaller, yet sturdier, tom. Tufted ears flicked, a curiosity and mild annoyance crossing over his features. "I'm unsure if you're aware, however my name is Sootstar." he corrected, brow furrowing. "I... don't have anything better to do, I suppose."

@/wardencarver

With an amused hum, Herringstar smiled and nodded to the other leader. Perhaps now wasn't the time for nicknames, so the Tideclan leader decided to respect his wishes. "Of course I know your actual name! I thought I'd be friendly, but I respect you so I'll call you whatever you'd like." They purred, their stance open and friendly. They sat down with the dark and freckled leader. "Your pelt reminds me of the starlit sky- has anyone ever told you that?" Herringstar commented calmly, a light purr in his voice, hoping it wasn't too odd to start off with- they were simply speaking their mind, it was true!

"Oh goodness me, I hope that wasn't weird! It's a nice night is all- you can easily fit right in!" They exclaimed, their tail swaying calmly, nice save Herringstar.

@/mageanders

The Tideclan leader sure was... something. Sootstar could only stare at him with a half-raised brow as he rambled on. Perhaps doing nothing would have been the better thing to do after all. "I certainly hope I can't fit right in. The stars are in the sky, and I'm on the ground. It would be troublesome if I were in the sky." he meowed, failing to grasp the attempted compliment.

"Herringstar... are you quite alright?"

@/wardencarver

The light grey tabby felt his pelt heat up lightly out of embarrassment- Herringstar wasn't expecting Sootstar to take their comment literally!! "I'm good, I'm good! I was trying to be nice is all heh... But, since you're Mr. Mountain Cat, if I were to look up while you're high up on your cliff, and it's hella dark out, I could see cats missing you- so technically you can blend in!" they explained nervously, flicking their tail lightly and averting their eyes. Well, this just left them feeling bad about bothering the other leader.

"You can ignore that if you'd like, I'm sorry for rambling! Goodness uhm... How are you this calm night?" Herringstar asked, looking back up at the Cliffclan leader, smiling as they hoped to ignore how awkward their initial greeting was.

@/mageanders

A frown tugged at the corners of Sootstar's lips, uncertain about... everything. This cat talked as if he were a casual clanmate, and not a rival leader. How in Starclan's name did he rise to such a position of power? It baffled and confused the darker leader.

"I told you before, I'm Sootstar." he repeated firmly, huffing a bit- this cat was either trying to get under his skin, or is a true idiot. "You shouldn't be in Cliffclan territory to see me on a cliff anyway, Herringstar... I certainly hope you aren't planning an invasion, because now I know your plans." As the conversation wore on, Sootstar grew more and more convinced that Herringstar was actually a true idiot. "I... am fine. I have no quarrels to make. And yourself, Herringstar?"

@/wardencarver

Herringstar couldn't help but pout as the darker tom kept taking their babbling seriously. They couldn't blame him though- they only just started talking, so Sootstar didn't know them personally. "Aaahh... Please nevermind, Sootstar, I was just trying to get a laugh, a smile, or something out of ya, but it's okay you don't understand- not everyone does! I have no intention to invade your land- simply admire it from afar! I'm, heh, afraid of heights." The slim tabby explained awkwardly, letting out a soft sigh. Maybe Sootstar will understand eventually.

With a hum, Herringstar played with the soft grass beneath their paws. "I'm alright, I just... you seemed lonely and I thought you'd appreciate the company, is all. I'm sure you're fine without me too, but I really really wanted to have a talk with you since we haven't really before!" They exclaimed, however in a soft voice so not many of the other cats could hear- surely the dark freckled tom would be further annoyed if they got the attention of others.

@/mageanders

The speckled leaders nose crinkled, his dull yellow eyes narrowing at the rival leader. "Are you calling me dumb, Herringstar?" he challenged, as if he wasn't himself thinking that the other cat was a blubbering idiot. "If you're afraid of heights, you shouldn't admire something you fear. That seems unwise." Sootstar commented, reluctantly lowering himself to his haunches. The other leader was taller... that was something that Sootstar didn't like very much.

"Lonely? Starclan, you sound like my deputy..." he mumbled, shaking his head a bit. Mudface always checked in on him because he seemed 'unhappy.' Perhaps he really did seem it, based on the commentary from the other leader. "I suppose it isn't a bad thing to learn more about your rivals."

@/wardencarver

Suddenly, the Tideclan leader perked up as Sootstar accused them of calling him dumb. "Oh no no no! I would never call you dumb! If anything, I am... I was trying to say that not everyone understands why I act the way I do is all, don't mind me. But uhm, I can admire something as pretty as your mountain from down below - it's if I were on top of the mountain I'd be scared, not when I'm safely down here!" Herringstar meowed, shaking their head as they tried to clear up their thoughts. Starclan, this wasn't going as well as they wanted.

The tall tabby nodded at the darker tom's confirmation on them calling him lonely, it was true, but they didn't mean it was bad. "Lonely... while it's okay to be, everyone deserves someone to talk to, even if one is from another clan... all I wish there to be is peace between us all, as hard as it is sometimes... I like talking to cats and hopefully, doing little things to make them feel good and have a reason to smile. Surely that's not bad?"

@/mageanders

Puffing up his neck fur defensively, Sootstar let out an annoyed sniff. "I never said I was lonely. You just assumed that." Was that a feeling he was experiencing? Loneliness? He was alone a lot, sure, but loneliness was implied to be a negative emotion. He didn't feel negatively about being alone a lot. Sootstar didn't want to think about it too much, in case loneliness was something you could catch.

"You certainly represent your clan well," the dark cat meowed carefully, "The lot of you are usually peaceful. They could have a worse cat to represent them."

@/wardencarver

Oh goodness, why can't Herringstar be good at this? They usually are, in their own clan, maybe it cant be helped. "I didn't mean to offend you, Sootstar, I'm sorry." they apologized, their eye brows furrowing- they were clearly sincere and never wanted to offend the stronger leader. Nervously, Herringstar wrapped his tail around himself. This was new and weird to him- he was rarely nervous!! It was simply because cats usually laugh at their rambling and smile because of their kindness, but Sootstar was unlike the cats of their own clan. His approval was special to them.

Herringstar was shaken out of their thoughts as Sootstar began to talk again, genuinely surprised to hear the darker tom compliment them on their representation for their clan. "Ahh goodness, I'm glad you think so!! I cant imagine my clan differently, since its my home, i feel like it should be peaceful, even to our neighbors. Fights... In my mind, fighting is unnecessary unless you're defending your land, but there should always be a diplomatic choice beforehand. I hope that makes sense, Sootstar- I know I'm rambling again, but the peaceful way of my clan is important to me." the light grey tabby mewed, they didn't know how to shut up. "I think you represent your clan well too- strong, serious and professional, which is a good clan dynamic in my mind too."

@/mageanders

This cat talked a lot. It was difficult for Sootstar to remain focused even as Herringstar talked on and on, feeling the need to explain his clan- a simple comment had been all that inspired such a long-winded speech. "It's good to have... passion for your clan." Sootstar replied, feeling a bit awkward now. He didn't have nearly as much to say as Herringstar did. "I appreciate your sentiments, Herringstar."

The din of the gathered cats was beginning to die down now as the Cliffclan leader noticed Thrushstar leading her clan away. "I'd best go back to my territory, then." he meowed softly, looking up at Herringstar with a contemplative expression.

@/wardencarver

Herringstar opened their mouth to speak more but closed it as soon as Sootstar mentioned that he should leave for his territory. Taking a look around, they saw Thrushstar lead her clanmates away and both Cliffclan and Tideclan cats rebanding as the time to leave got closer. "Oh... It's that time already? I wanted to talk to you so bad that I, heh, forgot." the slim tall tabby mewed nervously, reaching up with their back leg to scratch a nervous itch behind their ear. It was too bad- all Herringstar wanted to do was to talk more with the darker tom. Maybe it was for the best, since Sootstar seemed to be quiet and feeling awkward since they were the one who had a lot to say. With that thought, Herringstar felt bad.

"I... I guess we should leave then huh...? There's always next gathering to talk again- but for now, see you soon, Sootie, it was nice talking to you...!" the Tideclan leader meowed, offering the tom a warm smile and purr. "I look forward to speaking again, have a pleasant night and a good night's sleep!! Good bye, Sootstar." Herringstar added once more before getting up.

With a signal to their clan, the taller leader led their clanmates away, giving the darker tom a spare glance before walking away. They would think of the Cliffclan leader for the rest of the night- the cat with the starry pelt.

Description
Sootstar and Herringstar chat at a gathering.

--------------------------------------------------

@/wardencarver

The small, energetic leader of Tideclan bounced of their stone podium, happy and satisfied with their clan's announcement. They sniffed the fresh, crisp air of night- a beautiful night it was, that's for sure! Herringstar smiled as they glanced around, until their bright sunny eyes landed on the dark leader of Cliffclan. Perhaps he'd be up for a chat before the night ends?

Trotting over to the bigger warrior, letting out a friendly purr in greeting as they caught up to him. "Hey there, Sootie! I hope you don't mind if I joined you before we part ways?" Herringstar inquired, offering Sootstar a kind, warm smile.

@/mageanders

The announcements had been more of the same, the three leaders giving their speeches and proceeding to allow for some mingling of the clans. It had been getting better, five moons after the war, but it was by no means a loving atmosphere- there was still a blanket of tension over all the cats, Sootstar included. The Cliffclan leader bunched his muscles and leaped down carefully.

Yellow eyes flashed in mild surprise as the leader of Tideclan came strutting on up to the smaller, yet sturdier, tom. Tufted ears flicked, a curiosity and mild annoyance crossing over his features. "I'm unsure if you're aware, however my name is Sootstar." he corrected, brow furrowing. "I... don't have anything better to do, I suppose."

@/wardencarver

With an amused hum, Herringstar smiled and nodded to the other leader. Perhaps now wasn't the time for nicknames, so the Tideclan leader decided to respect his wishes. "Of course I know your actual name! I thought I'd be friendly, but I respect you so I'll call you whatever you'd like." They purred, their stance open and friendly. They sat down with the dark and freckled leader. "Your pelt reminds me of the starlit sky- has anyone ever told you that?" Herringstar commented calmly, a light purr in his voice, hoping it wasn't too odd to start off with- they were simply speaking their mind, it was true!

"Oh goodness me, I hope that wasn't weird! It's a nice night is all- you can easily fit right in!" They exclaimed, their tail swaying calmly, nice save Herringstar.

@/mageanders

The Tideclan leader sure was... something. Sootstar could only stare at him with a half-raised brow as he rambled on. Perhaps doing nothing would have been the better thing to do after all. "I certainly hope I can't fit right in. The stars are in the sky, and I'm on the ground. It would be troublesome if I were in the sky." he meowed, failing to grasp the attempted compliment.

"Herringstar... are you quite alright?"

@/wardencarver

The light grey tabby felt his pelt heat up lightly out of embarrassment- Herringstar wasn't expecting Sootstar to take their comment literally!! "I'm good, I'm good! I was trying to be nice is all heh... But, since you're Mr. Mountain Cat, if I were to look up while you're high up on your cliff, and it's hella dark out, I could see cats missing you- so technically you can blend in!" they explained nervously, flicking their tail lightly and averting their eyes. Well, this just left them feeling bad about bothering the other leader.

"You can ignore that if you'd like, I'm sorry for rambling! Goodness uhm... How are you this calm night?" Herringstar asked, looking back up at the Cliffclan leader, smiling as they hoped to ignore how awkward their initial greeting was.

@/mageanders

A frown tugged at the corners of Sootstar's lips, uncertain about... everything. This cat talked as if he were a casual clanmate, and not a rival leader. How in Starclan's name did he rise to such a position of power? It baffled and confused the darker leader.

"I told you before, I'm Sootstar." he repeated firmly, huffing a bit- this cat was either trying to get under his skin, or is a true idiot. "You shouldn't be in Cliffclan territory to see me on a cliff anyway, Herringstar... I certainly hope you aren't planning an invasion, because now I know your plans." As the conversation wore on, Sootstar grew more and more convinced that Herringstar was actually a true idiot. "I... am fine. I have no quarrels to make. And yourself, Herringstar?"

@/wardencarver

Herringstar couldn't help but pout as the darker tom kept taking their babbling seriously. They couldn't blame him though- they only just started talking, so Sootstar didn't know them personally. "Aaahh... Please nevermind, Sootstar, I was just trying to get a laugh, a smile, or something out of ya, but it's okay you don't understand- not everyone does! I have no intention to invade your land- simply admire it from afar! I'm, heh, afraid of heights." The slim tabby explained awkwardly, letting out a soft sigh. Maybe Sootstar will understand eventually.

With a hum, Herringstar played with the soft grass beneath their paws. "I'm alright, I just... you seemed lonely and I thought you'd appreciate the company, is all. I'm sure you're fine without me too, but I really really wanted to have a talk with you since we haven't really before!" They exclaimed, however in a soft voice so not many of the other cats could hear- surely the dark freckled tom would be further annoyed if they got the attention of others.

@/mageanders

The speckled leaders nose crinkled, his dull yellow eyes narrowing at the rival leader. "Are you calling me dumb, Herringstar?" he challenged, as if he wasn't himself thinking that the other cat was a blubbering idiot. "If you're afraid of heights, you shouldn't admire something you fear. That seems unwise." Sootstar commented, reluctantly lowering himself to his haunches. The other leader was taller... that was something that Sootstar didn't like very much.

"Lonely? Starclan, you sound like my deputy..." he mumbled, shaking his head a bit. Mudface always checked in on him because he seemed 'unhappy.' Perhaps he really did seem it, based on the commentary from the other leader. "I suppose it isn't a bad thing to learn more about your rivals."

@/wardencarver

Suddenly, the Tideclan leader perked up as Sootstar accused them of calling him dumb. "Oh no no no! I would never call you dumb! If anything, I am... I was trying to say that not everyone understands why I act the way I do is all, don't mind me. But uhm, I can admire something as pretty as your mountain from down below - it's if I were on top of the mountain I'd be scared, not when I'm safely down here!" Herringstar meowed, shaking their head as they tried to clear up their thoughts. Starclan, this wasn't going as well as they wanted.

The tall tabby nodded at the darker tom's confirmation on them calling him lonely, it was true, but they didn't mean it was bad. "Lonely... while it's okay to be, everyone deserves someone to talk to, even if one is from another clan... all I wish there to be is peace between us all, as hard as it is sometimes... I like talking to cats and hopefully, doing little things to make them feel good and have a reason to smile. Surely that's not bad?"

@/mageanders

Puffing up his neck fur defensively, Sootstar let out an annoyed sniff. "I never said I was lonely. You just assumed that." Was that a feeling he was experiencing? Loneliness? He was alone a lot, sure, but loneliness was implied to be a negative emotion. He didn't feel negatively about being alone a lot. Sootstar didn't want to think about it too much, in case loneliness was something you could catch.

"You certainly represent your clan well," the dark cat meowed carefully, "The lot of you are usually peaceful. They could have a worse cat to represent them."

@/wardencarver

Oh goodness, why can't Herringstar be good at this? They usually are, in their own clan, maybe it cant be helped. "I didn't mean to offend you, Sootstar, I'm sorry." they apologized, their eye brows furrowing- they were clearly sincere and never wanted to offend the stronger leader. Nervously, Herringstar wrapped his tail around himself. This was new and weird to him- he was rarely nervous!! It was simply because cats usually laugh at their rambling and smile because of their kindness, but Sootstar was unlike the cats of their own clan. His approval was special to them.

Herringstar was shaken out of their thoughts as Sootstar began to talk again, genuinely surprised to hear the darker tom compliment them on their representation for their clan. "Ahh goodness, I'm glad you think so!! I cant imagine my clan differently, since its my home, i feel like it should be peaceful, even to our neighbors. Fights... In my mind, fighting is unnecessary unless you're defending your land, but there should always be a diplomatic choice beforehand. I hope that makes sense, Sootstar- I know I'm rambling again, but the peaceful way of my clan is important to me." the light grey tabby mewed, they didn't know how to shut up. "I think you represent your clan well too- strong, serious and professional, which is a good clan dynamic in my mind too."

@/mageanders

This cat talked a lot. It was difficult for Sootstar to remain focused even as Herringstar talked on and on, feeling the need to explain his clan- a simple comment had been all that inspired such a long-winded speech. "It's good to have... passion for your clan." Sootstar replied, feeling a bit awkward now. He didn't have nearly as much to say as Herringstar did. "I appreciate your sentiments, Herringstar."

The din of the gathered cats was beginning to die down now as the Cliffclan leader noticed Thrushstar leading her clan away. "I'd best go back to my territory, then." he meowed softly, looking up at Herringstar with a contemplative expression.

@/wardencarver

Herringstar opened their mouth to speak more but closed it as soon as Sootstar mentioned that he should leave for his territory. Taking a look around, they saw Thrushstar lead her clanmates away and both Cliffclan and Tideclan cats rebanding as the time to leave got closer. "Oh... It's that time already? I wanted to talk to you so bad that I, heh, forgot." the slim tall tabby mewed nervously, reaching up with their back leg to scratch a nervous itch behind their ear. It was too bad- all Herringstar wanted to do was to talk more with the darker tom. Maybe it was for the best, since Sootstar seemed to be quiet and feeling awkward since they were the one who had a lot to say. With that thought, Herringstar felt bad.

"I... I guess we should leave then huh...? There's always next gathering to talk again- but for now, see you soon, Sootie, it was nice talking to you...!" the Tideclan leader meowed, offering the tom a warm smile and purr. "I look forward to speaking again, have a pleasant night and a good night's sleep!! Good bye, Sootstar." Herringstar added once more before getting up.

With a signal to their clan, the taller leader led their clanmates away, giving the darker tom a spare glance before walking away. They would think of the Cliffclan leader for the rest of the night- the cat with the starry pelt.