Aspenpaw'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 creaking 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!"

The tom had been mostly confined to camp for the day, finding his body aching from training and hunting, often times finding himself waking up sprawled out with every muscle pulsing with tiny pricks of pain. He had grown strong though; beneath ginger fur sat strong muscle, and a hardened resolve to see his clan through the incredibly harsh winter. Aspenpaw made his way forward with the summons, admittedly assuming that it could only be for him and absolutely nothing else- what else could there be? He would snort if asked, tail-tip twitching in annoyance that his importance could be undermined. He sat close to Jaystar, head tilted skyward to look at his mentor, snow settling upon his fur.

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 donning a wreathing of stiff soreness settling low below yet still within his immediate proximity in the usual stationary staying. The embers of pride flickered just a touch warmer.

"Today, we have gathered here to witness the naming of yet another Warrior. I am most certain of my apprentice Aspenpaw, and have complete faith in his readiness for such a transition. Aspenpaw, if you believe this to be true, step forward now and your ceremony will commence."

Mallowmist trodded up to heed Jaystar's call, her excitement coursing in her veins. Even though she had received her name, there was a certain prickle of excitement that always came throughout as she witnessed each and every ceremony. Her gaze turned to the apprentice that was to come forth, hope tilting her ears towards the tom.

A purr rumbled deep in his chest, so faint you would have to have your ear against it to hear, as Jaystar began the announcement and confirmed that this was in fact, his ceremony. He strode into the waning light, fur visibly glossy despite the hunger that forever nipped at him and showed in slightly visible ribs, his ginger head held high.

Locking eyes with his mentor, he nodded, "I believe I'm ready. You did, shockingly, teach me well," His voice was drenched in a mix of sarcasm and humour, hoping that the tom who always felt mildly aloof would take it with the same sense of humour in which it was meant. Aspenpaw swallowed sharply as he waited for the ceremony to continue, now aware of the presence of other cats, pride blooming as he realised they were going to witness his naming.

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- wry twisting of the mouth and lifting of a brow the only immediate response to his soon-to-be-former protegee's remarks. Few found themselves genuinely comfortable enough to worry his ears in such a public manner without fear of recourse, but trust Aspenpaw to nip at his heels for every given opportunity. 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 Aspenpaw 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. Aspenpaw, do you promise to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do," his voice came through clear and strong, eyes trained strongly on Jaystar. His lack of response to his quip was only a little disappointing, but only a calm gaze was rewarded, followed by his oath to swear. Aspenpaw's tail swished against the snow-coated ground, excitement clear in every fibre of his body and in every mannerism and action he undertook- stars, was he finally ready for this.

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- whatever disappointment in his refusal to officially depart from ceremonial happenings quickly awashed to sea in the tidings of excitement that were undoubtedly rising to the surface.

"In that case, I shall grant you your new name. From this day forth, you will be known as Aspenblaze. RiverClan honors your loyalty and good spirits 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 his former Apprentice.

Mallowmist stood in excitement of the newly named warrior, a cheer carrying her voice into the camp. "Aspenblaze! Aspenblaze!"