Pinepaw'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!"

Pinepaw had trotted over to the crowd that was beginning to form due to the Leaders Call, He sat down, Plopping next to some of his Littermates, Hoping that it was good news, And nothing like there was a Famine due to the Harsh weather, Why would I even think that? We're good so far, I'm thinking too hard.. He thinks, Shaking his head violently to remove the thought, Before looking up at the Leader, With a look that He thought looked Serious, It wasn't that serious, But he thought it was, And no one needs to tell him.

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 currently thronging about in the protective current of his littermates. If there was irritation to be had, it was lost within the reflective depths of his boundless stare.

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

Pinepaw couldn't believe it, It was his ceremony! Not a famine, Despite the Low amount of prey, It was his time! But he began to worry about Petalpaw, He believed he deserved this, But.. His sister.. In the end, He stepped forward, Casting a Nervous glance at his sister But still smiling, He continued forward. "I.. I think I'm worthy." He says, Sitting down in front of the crowd, Awaiting his new name, and hoping for Petal to be glad.

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 the shaky testament of confirmation to such a inquiry. Truthfully, he preferred when little was said during such formal proceedings, though he knew some enjoyed the verbal consummations of such dedications. Dark gaze remaining fixed upon the young tom just sprawled before, a simmering cloud of breath was all that was exhaled in lingering aftermath of the heralding point to his speaking.

"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. Pinepaw, do you promise to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

He looked up at the Leader with Hope and Wonder, Everything swirled in his head as he sat down, He took a deep breath before he nodded to the Leader above him, He took one last deep breath before getting comfortable and finally saying the Awaited words. "I promise to protect Riverclan with my life. I'll protect them all until my last breath." He said, He thought for a bit, Realizing that These are most likely the Final words he'd speak as an Apprentice, He nodded again as he stood back up, Still looking at Jaystar, Smiling, Pushing back his worries for Petalpaw, He wouldn't be able to speak anyway, Well, That's how He had understood it.

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- likely contemplating his own emotional outbursts that had been sleuthing beneath the surface untouched until this very pivotal moment.

"In that case, I shall grant you your new name. From this day forth, you will be known as Pineheart. RiverClan honors your caring nature and fighting skills. 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.

Robin had been watching his apprentice's ceremony with pride. Pinepaw had come a long way and now, it was time to reward all that hard work and skill. He eyed his nephew up atop the willow branch expectantly.

Once the ceremony had ended, Robinpatch was the first to rush over to the newly-named Pineheart to congratulate him. "Pineheart! Pineheart!" he chanted on his way over. As soon as he made it to his destination, he bumped the younger tom's shoulder with his own and shot him a grin. "Congrats, kid! Ya made it! I'm so proud of ya son. It was a pleasure being your mentor." He cleared his throat before speaking up again, "Well, whenever you're up for it, we can go out and do some hunting...as equals. Whaddaya say?" he surely hoped for a 'yes'.

---

Blackpanther had barely gotten his own warrior name before it was time for his brother's ceremony. The dark-furred tom was more than happy to see Pinepaw grow and mature just like he did. Despite the joyful day this would be, Blackpanther was still grieving. His family had lost a lot during the last few moons and he doubted they'd ever truly recover. However, life needed to go on and Blackpanther was forced to push all his woes aside so he could focus on helping the clan in whatever way he could. He was a warrior now. He was determined to pull his weight.

Shaking away all his thoughts, the tom grinned as his brother's new name was said. Pineheart? It suited his brother well! The tall warrior made his way over to the gathering crowd, ready to give his congratulations to Pineheart. He spotted his brother's ex-mentor, Robinpatch, among the crowd. He shot him a smile as he waited for his turn.

Once it had cleared enough, Blackpanther purred and nudged Pineheart with a gentle paw. "Congrats! You've got such a good name! I'm glad you're now a warrior with me!" He gave him a warm smile before taking his leave.

Pinep- HEART, Pineheart (ooc: HE'S ALL GROWN UP SOBS) Trotted quickly towards his Ex-Mentor, Robinpatch as they lightly bonked eachother, Robinpatch on his shoulder, Pineheart on his forehead, He nodded happily as a Response to Robinpatch, Unsure when he had to Not speak, He knew it had to be for about a night, He didn't know when, At the start of the patrol? Maybe, But better safe than sorry, Yeah? Then he saw Blackpanther, His brother, Pineheart purred a thanks before giving Blackpanther a nudge back, He was so glad to be with his friends, He looked back at Petalpaw with a Soft smile, Before awaiting Robinpatch's Words announcing when they'd go hunt, This time, As Robinpatch had just said, Equals.