Poppypaw's Warrior Ceremony

"All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the Willow Branch for a Clan meeting!"

Ivystar's summon sounded the same as it always did- cold, devoid of emotion. It wasn't on purpose anymore, either. It came naturally; the she-cat no longer had to force the stony facade. The tabby leader still felt emotions, she just kept them to herself rather than displaying them for the whole of her Clan to see. 'It's better this way,' she thought, 'because then they don't have to concern themselves with the thoughts of their weary leader.' Shaking her head a bit, the she-cat looked down from the Willow Branch, waiting for her calm, well-mannered apprentice to appear. She didn't show it, but she was proud. RiverClan was gaining a worthy warrior today.

Poppypaw poked her head out of the apprentice den. She had a feeling she knew what today was going to bring, and excitement warmed her paws as she padded over to the Willow Branch. She had been lucky in that Ivystar would be the one doing her ceremony again - they had been together now since the newly named apprentice had been taken under the deputy's wing. And now she would be given her full name.

She was well groomed, as usual, her fur licked down so that it hid some of the scarring on her side. She stood with her head held high with pride. She had come a long way from the unsure kit she had been, and although she still felt a lot of anxiety about the coming moons, the she-cat felt like she could handle it.

Noting that the young tortoiseshell had made her way out of her den, Ivystar simply waved her tail at her apprentice, a little nod confirming what the she-cat likely already expected. "RiverClan, we gather here today to witness the promotion of yet another dedicated apprentice. Poppypaw, as your mentor I trust that you are fully prepared to take on the responsibilities of a warrior. If you believe this to be true, please step forward, and your ceremony will commence." Emerald eyes met those of her still young apprentice, awaiting her response.

Poppypaw's eyes gleamed as Ivystar confirmed what she had suspected. It was time. Any doubts she had were forced out of her mind. If Ivystar thought she was ready, it was not up to her to disagree. She stepped forward.

Applepaw watched as yet another one of his siblings was becoming a warrior. He was excited for her, and knew he would be joining them soon.

Offering a nod of approval to the she-cat below, Ivystar continued the ceremony. "I, Ivystar, Leader of RiverClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn. Poppypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" The vow all warriors took was truly quite a solemn one, but it proved their faith an loyalty to their Clan, to the grave. It was an important vow, and without it, there would be no true RiverClan warriors.

Poppypaw shot a glance of excitement at Applepaw, a little pang of sadness hitting her in the chest. After all, he should be a warrior, too. He was her littermate, and would be the last of the three to receive his name. Soon, she thought, turning back to Ivystar and hoping he kept the same mantra in mind. He'd join them soon.

The vow was always a solemn one, but in light of recent events it seemed even more so. There was a very real chance she'd be giving her life for RiverClan. The question really was whether or not StarClan would be the ones responsible for her or any of the warriors making such a choice.

"I do."

Pleased with Poppypaw's dedication, Ivystar concluded the ceremony with a sense of pride. "Then, by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. From this day forth, you will be known to all as Poppybloom. Riverclan honors your compassion and responsibility. Tonight, as per tradition, you will hold a silent vigil while the rest of the clan sleeps. Until then, however, we celebrate the rise of a new Riverclan warrior who has fully earned her name." Leaping off of the branch, Ivystar gently nuzzled her now former apprentice on top of the head, and joined her Clan in celebrating the new warrior.

Poppybloom felt such intense happiness at hearing her new name that she wasn't sure she'd ever match that feeling again. As Ivystar nuzzled the top of her head, she licked her shoulder respectfully, meeting the eyes of her now former mentor and blinking gratefully. Ivystar had taught her so much, and she would always be glad she had had her as a mentor.

"Poppybloom!" Addershade said, approaching his eldest daughter as the ceremony came to a close. "Congratulations!"

He smiled, but in his eyes there was a tension that he couldn't quite manage to fully hide. He'd always seen the world as dangerous, but it had been getting more dangerous feeling by the day. It felt even more turbulent now than it had at the time of Nightwolf's ceremony, though it hadn't been so long ago. Things felt like they were moving quickly-- too quickly for him to process. And now that his children were becoming warriors, they were going to have to take on more responsibility. Put themselves at greater risk. More casually be expected to lay down their lives. And he knew, deep down, he couldn't stop them from growing up, couldn't protect them from whatever the future held. So what could he do but smile, bury the fear, and hope for the best?

"I know you'll be a great warrior," he continued, that maelstrom of conflicting emotions still swirling in his eyes. "And I'm very proud of you,".

He gently touched his nose to the top of her head.

"But please always remember to keep yourself safe,"

"Daddy!" Poppybloom exclaimed in delight, her eyes bright. Nothing could possibly mean more to her at that moment. She respected her father, in her grew a nerve and daring that was tempered by his caution. It would serve her well in these crazy times, as they all puzzled out the path they were intended to take. She had a sinking suspicion that the path ahead was one filled with brambles and thorns, and she just hoped that they would all be able to navigate it.

"Thank you. You know I'll try. And I'll try to keep the others safe as well, although they like to fight me on that." She laughed a little, but it really did sometimes feel like she was fighting a losing battle to keep her brothers from doing something incredibly stupid or reckless. It was part of their charm - and the endless frustration she felt more strongly at times than others.

"Yes, I know you will. And I know they do," Addershade responded, he laughed too, quietly, though he knew what she said was true. Most of his children did not share in his own caution. Whether that was a good thing or a bad thing, he honestly wasn't sure. "But I believe in you,"

There was still a tension in him, but it had started to recede, if only just a little. Faith was something that had never come easy to Addershade. He had no faith in the world to be kind, nor in the whims and actions of others. But he meant what he said. He did believe in her. He still had no faith in the world to be anything but a labyrinthine mess. He still had no faith that most cats meant what they said, that they weren't just hiding some second agenda. But finally, finally, he'd learned to have faith in something. He had faith in them. His family. He believe they'd get through this. Together.