featherpaw's warrior ceremony

His thought process was similar to that of promoting Softpaw - to give the she-cat a chance to prove herself. Recent events had impacted the clan deeply, and perhaps Featherpaw and her sisters more so than other cats. If their words were to be believed, seeing their father in such a state was jarring. If Featherpaw truly wanted to be a warrior of Thunderclan, he would help her get there. Leaping onto the highrock, Stoatstar wasted no time, even though his throat felt like it was coated with jagged pieces of sand, "Let all cats gather below for a clan meeting."

Atalante's ears pricked at the sound of Stoatstar's voice, and she padded toward, doing her best to stick to her clanmates and avoid catching the eyes of the fearsome shadows that sat near the edges of camp. After the gathering she'd been on edge, even more than some. The dark forest cats were truly terrifying to someone who had never believed or grown up on the stories, and in the span of a few moments they had become a nightmarish reality. With her father somehow at their helm. She gazed up at Stoatstar, expression uncertain.

Stoatstar found the young she-cat's gaze. She'd proven to be a fiery spirit but hadn't given him any reason to find her not trustworthy. They had to be beyond Dawnhawk's grasp, right? All three of his kits had chosen to abandon him for Thunderclan. The leader clung to this idea as he continued, finding hope to be the most foolish thing he ever did but relying on it anyways. His tail flickered as he summonded her. It was time for her to declare her allegiance and become a warrior, "Featherpaw, come forward. I believe you are ready to take your place as a Thunderclan warrior. Do you promise to serve your clan, and follow the code, even at the cost of your life?"

Atalante blinked up at Stoatstar in surprise, but stepped forward as expected of her. To uphold the code and defend her clan... Defending the clan came with defending her half-siblings to a point. They were Thunderclan, but she wasn't sure that all of Thunderclan would trust them after the revelations at that blood-soaked gathering. The best way of defending them was to stay close.

"I do" Her voice was measured, and her tone didn't waver as she spoke the ceremonial words.

The certainty of her voice was confirmation enough. His gaze lingered a second longer before the leader nodded. This was it then, Dawnhawk's kit would be a warrior of Thunderclan, "From now on, you will be known as Featherfrost. I welcome you as a full warrior of Thunderclan. Tonight, you will guard the clan as we sleep." With a flick of his tail, the tom dismissed the meeting and leaped down from the highrock. Instead of drifting away, ge sought out the new warrior, "I know you're more than your father's kit, Featherfrost, even now." The words were muttered and low, meant for just her. His ear flickered slightly and for a moment, he allowed his facade to fall. He was exhausted and honest, leaning into this brief hope. With that, Stoatstar turned to retire to his den.