Lilypaw's Warrior Ceremony

Smoky tendrils of faint clouds drifted across the rapidly darkening evening sky, rapidly dissipating fingers of light grey occasionally obscuring the newly laminated dusk. Though the day had been wrought with chilly gales that had buffeted the forest and moorlands with an unrelenting force, only the stray murmur of a breeze graced the lands now. Features kissed softly by the damp touch of a potential snowfall that weighed on the still twilight, Brindlestar gave herself a rigorous shake in hopes of fending off the lingering chill that had descended upon her bones. Unease still seemed to be her only genuine companion these days, but there was a comfort to be found in the staggering amount of ceremonies that had currently transpired- if there was anything to be learned from the previous events, it was that life always continued. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Tallrock!"

Lilypaw lay in the apprentice den still refusing to face the cold of bare-leaf, the death of her mentor had struck her hard, guilt always there following her like a shadow.
She could not have done anything to prevented the death of Fernwing yet she still felt like she should have done something, anything.
Not that it mattered now, Fernwings blood had already been shed.
She did't have received a new mentor yet, but really she hoped she would not get one either, getting a new mentor would be like replacing Fernwing. She would never forgive herself if she did that.
And dus without a mentor she tried to train herself, getting herself on patrols, yet it did not feel right.
Because Fernwing would't be there to teach her.

She tried to cover her face with moss and burry herself in it when Bindelstar's voice found its way into the apprentice den.
A clan meeting great.
Though she did not feel like being the happy active Lilypaw she stil got up and made her way to the Tallrock where a little crowd was now. She heard some kind-hearted words from one of her clanmates to her, made an effort to say thanks and sat down.
As she stared up to her leader a little spark of curiosity bubbled up, one of the last bits remaining of Lilypaw's old self.
what would this day bring?

"We gather here today to bestow the title of Warrior upon one of our Apprentices." Brindlestar's voice gradually rose above the soft clamor of conversation that lingered upon the air, honeyed with a benign emotion yet to fully discern itself. Flicking tail abandoning its restless movements in favor of merely winding itself across her tightly gathered limbs, the pale-furred Leader remained silent for a heartbeat or so. Steaming rivulets of breath hanging heavily upon the damp air, silvery tendrils curling across the chilly night for merely a finite moment. "She has proven herself worthy to climb the ranks of WindClan and receive her Warrior name." Gaze slowly drifting back towards the young molly who lingered below the looming outline of the stone,  the molly's raspy voice was slow and methodical as she finally voiced the highly anticipated command.

"Lilypaw, please step forward."

"lilypaw please step forwards"

The world seemed to stop.
Literally stand still and Lilypaw did not know how to get it moving again. Her name was called, she was going to become a warrior. First there was confusion, how was she ready to become a warrior? She had't had a proper training in moons besides mimicking the moves of other apprentices how was she now ready to become a warrior?
Then there was anger, did they think to just make her a warrior out of pity? Did they think 'ooh look at the poor apprentice without a mentor or family lets make her a warrior so she atlas feels better about herself'. Lilypaw fought the urge to unsheet her claws and lash out at anyone close to her.
She looked up and suddenly the world moved again, Brindelstar did not look at her with pity but rather with the calmness the she cat always seemed to project. She looked at the leader her eyes speaking 'why?' and step forwards to Tallrock.

"I, Brindlestar, Leader of WindClan, call upon my Warrior ancestors to look down upon this Apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble Code, and I commend her to you as a Warrior in return." Steaming breath rolled skywards in narrow rivulets, pooling freely from both Brindlestar's nose and ajar maw. Shifting atop the snow dusted stone, the pale-furred molly merely resembled a shadow of a ghost against the bleak backdrop. Although the variety of emotions that flitted across the narrow features of Lilypaw's face did not go unnoticed, the molly merely blinked down at her younger counterpart with a cool sense of urgency. "Lilypaw, do you promise to uphold the Warrior Code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Lilypaw looked up towards Brindlestar still wondering why now she was getting this ceremony. As Brindlestar finished his speech hesitence began to form it self in her. Should she say yes? Whas she realy ready? She looked around her, her clan she loved oh so dearly. As a cold breeze bristeld her fur het desision was made. “I do”.

ooc) Next time I'm unavailable to post for extended periods of time, you just need to PM Middy to finish your ceremony instead of RPing a character as a Warrior without a completed ceremony.



"Then by the powers of StarClan, I shall grant you your Warrior name." Casting her sharp gaze back out towards the darkening sky, which bled with the richest colors that many saw during this lifetime, the glimmers of starlight seemed to look down upon the proceedings in response. Hopefully their ancestors were listening to the proceedings of such a proud moment, they had been absent enough as of late- it was the least they could do in honor of such sacred traditions. "Lilypaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Lilyflower. StarClan honors your compassionate and adverse nature, and we welcome you as a full Warrior of WindClan." Feathered tail brushing softly against the well-worn stone she stood upon, Brindlestar was quick to abandon her position atop the Tallrock and instead join the mingling celebration that bunched together around the newly-named Lilyflower.