Blackpaw's Warrior Ceremony

Thick rivulets of silky snow curled downwards from the bleak late evening sky, rich ribbons of irrefutable cleanliness that bleached the sad and somber winter riverlands; sprawling blankets of alabaster heaped on further by the perpetually lingering dusting of snow, disrupted only by the occasional tracking of muddied ice and churned sands. The stifling stillness of the dwindling grey light was interrupted only by the insistent, yet terribly faint, collision of snow landing upon starkly frigid ice, a backdrop of virtually unknowable hissing lost to the chatter of a burdened river. Tender ears and nose aflame with the scorching brush of lingering frigid dampness, Jaystar's sharp features creased softly as he peered down from his newly-raised seat atop the ceremonial willow tree, heralded only by generations of kin and forbearers.

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

Blackpaw padded of the apprentice's den after having taken a small nap. It was clearly apparent on his eyes- from his half-lidded eyes to his disheveled, short fur. The tom's hazy sight cleared after a moment or two once he exited the den. By the time he was fully awake, he was somehow seated among his clanmates. He wasn't sure what the meeting would be about but it was probably nothing bad...hopefully.

Letting out a huge yawn, the apprentice began to groom his fur all the while keeping an eye on the figure atop the willow branch so he didn't miss the meeting's start. He attempted to get a read on Jaystar's face but wasn't able to in the slightest. Jay was a hard cat to read but hey, at least he tried.

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OOC) I hope this topic isn't considered old. It's still Feb 24 on my end...

ooc] i'm cool with it if you are!

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Smooth jut of the shoulder roiling sharply under the wild mane of his unkempt coat and idly brushing off a faint dusting of snow, Jaystar's slow movements atop the weight perch of the forked tree-limb were liquid and silky, fluent with the seemingly innate grace of a shadow, gentle movements twisting and writhing against the cold backdrop of the evening. Pointed chin lifting a casual, calloused invitation to all of the gradually collecting onlookers currently peering on with mirrored expressions of apt interest, the young tom standing before him had an expression of resolute interest, an outcry of carefully concealed emotion seething low in her collected and casual movements. Though the snowy world crept by in a long-lingering swathes of alabaster nothingness, the perpetual line of ceremonies waiting to be fulfilled always did well to break up the monotony.

"Today, we have gathered here to witness the naming of yet another Warrior. Harebounce has spoken nothing but highly of her apprentice Blackpaw, and has assured me that he is ready for such a transition. Blackpaw, if you believe this to be true, step forward now and your ceremony will commence."

OOC) I'm very cool with it . Thanks!

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The moment the word 'warrior' was spoken by the leader, the tom's ears perked up. Could this be the day he'd been waiting for since his kithood? He was one of the oldest apprentices and it was about time he earned his warrior name. Blackpaw sat up eagerly as he awaited the name of who's ceremony this was.

He held his breath right up until his name was called. It was his ceremony today! Smothering down as much of his bubbling excitement as to not seem so immature, the tom stood up and with as much pride as his body possessed, stepped forward. He puffed out his chest as he stood in front of the willow branch. He felt his tail twitch every now and again in anticipation and eagerness. However, despite this, he remained composed. He was ready!

Softly ghosted with the silky remnants of a faint crusting of ice and frost, gossamer and web-like against the unkempt mane of his dark coat, Jaystar swallowed down the fiery pinprick of familiarity and remembrance blossoming low and deep at the ceremonial summons. Dark eyes observing the nonverbal display of obvious excitement trilling through the young Blackpaw, the dark-furred tom was nothing but a passive observer to the pride and affection that hung heavily in the bleary afternoon sun. Countless eyes, shaded unfamiliar and harsh under the reflective gleam hanging heavily in the absence of proper light, quickly drifted into the general direction of which Blackpaw stood, curiosity and faint touches of amusement blatant in the cool stares of the uninvolved. Hard lines awash with the delicate similarities to his disreputable kin, the young dark-furred tom remained motionless for several long heartbeats- carefully assessing the unfolding situation before him, keen gaze fixed upon the younger cat below.

"I call to our ancestors to look down upon this Apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your code, and I commend him to you as a Warrior in return. Blackpaw, do you promise to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

It all felt so...surreal- almost dream-like. Standing before Jaystar as said leader recited the words for his warrior ceremony. Blackpaw couldn't be more ecstatic. He wanted to jump and run around in glee. However, he was going to have to refrain himself for now. He wanted the leader to see that he was serious and deserved this ceremony- that he deserved the warrior name that will be bestowed upon him soon.

This was it. This was the moment that his life had led to. Moons and moons of training and hard work was finally paying off. He stood straighter, never taking his eyes off Jaystar. "I do." There it was. He sealed the deal. He breathed in and out slowly. Now, he awaited what his new name will be. He was sure Jaystar will choose something that will suit him.

Silky dark edges of wispy fur catching sharply against the wan light of the terse evening, gentle ripples of pale light heavily framed the occasional movements of Jaystar; a familiar mimicry to the dark riverwater flashing under the bright illumination of the pallid moonlight. Hard cut lines of the cheekbone ridging sharply against the delicate curve of his face, the gaunt tom continuously fronted a calloused expression, unwilling to divulge a fractional emotion while in the presence of the young cat before him- dark gaze unflinching in spite of the mounting tension and excitement exuded by the dark-pelted tom below him.

"In that case, I shall grant you your new name. From this day forth, you will be known as Blackpanther. RiverClan honors your optimism and perseverance for hard-work, even in the wake of hardships. Tonight, you will hold a silent vigil while the rest of the Clan sleeps. Until then, we celebrate the naming of a new RiverClan Warrior." Sending forth a chilly flurry of crystalline ice and downy snows, Jaystar was quick and fluid in his movements to abandon his high-above perch and instead join the blossoming congregation thronging about the newly-named Warrior.

Blackpanther! How cool of a name was that?? The tom was more than happy and content with his new name. Better yet, he was finally a warrior! After moons of hard work and struggle after struggle, Blackpanther had finally made it. He hoped his parents were proud! The dark-furred warrior basked in the chanting of his new name and the many 'congratulations' he was getting from his clanmates. It was a great day for him indeed.