The future's in your paws. Shape it well.Roleplay in a cat Clan of warriors. Based off the Warriors series by Erin Hunter. Takes place in an AU before the cats in the books existed.
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OOC: This takes place before the Vixenstar meeting, but during Jaystar's disappearance. Also chronologically before Owlpaw's ceremony.
Perchfall would be lying if she said she wasn't worried. Though it was sun-high, she hadn't seen Jaystar for... nearly a day. It was difficult to measure time with the shadows cast over camp. A few patrols had quietly been asked to search for him while they were out, but to no avail. The last thing that RiverClan needed was another tragedy; another loss; another disaster, especially with its ill-fitting deputy at the helm. Every muscle in the she-cat's body had been tense all day. However, as usual, life continued. And if there was one thing that could ease her mind somewhat, it would be interacting with her apprentice. Poppypaw... finally, it was time for her to become a warrior. She was more than worthy; Perchfall had wanted to wait until her wounds were healed, and Jaystar had acquiesced with surprisingly little care for the matter. He had already given her leave to do the ceremony, so... why not do it now? She needed a bright ray of sunshine in her life. And Poppypaw always provided that.
Sitting on the branch, not allowing her paws to quiver with the held-in stress of the day, the deputy forced herself to focus on the task at paw. A moment of rejoicing for one of the kindest, warmest, most pure and wonderful cats in the forest. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own fish gather for a Clan meeting," she called out, her neutral voice having an almost-warm undertone to it. She would do this, she would enjoy giving the calico this moment... and then she could worry.
Since Poppypaw had healed from her skirmish with Softfall and taken time to get to know other cats, the happiness that she had carried around with her all the time before had returned. She was able to smile with more brightness and hold more sincerity in her words. It didn’t quite feel like she had to push herself to be excitable. There were still hard times—the Dark Forest cats were not gone and darkness still reigned over the forest—but it was easier.
She happily trotted out to the center of camp and looked up at Perchfall with that same smile and those bright eyes that she always had when looking to her beloved mentor. There had been so many good memories made since Perchfall was made her mentor, and it always warmed Poppypaw to remember that fact. She silently thanked StarClan for the opportunity of being born into RiverClan, to meet not Only Perchfall, but all of the other wonderful cats too. She wanted to do all she could for RiverClan, and she knew that once she became a warrior, there was even more she could do to assist her clan.
And there she was. Perchfall's stoic deputy mask softened, as it always did, when her gaze fell upon the small calico before her. Well... not so small anymore. Despite herself, Poppypaw had grown into a beautiful young she-cat; warrior-aged, sleek, every inch a RiverClan cat. The scars from her skirmish were barely visible under the bright, colorful pattern of her fur. Who else could be such an epitome of goodness? Of everything wonderful about their warrior lives? But this was not the time to get lost in thought. This was a time for ceremony. Celebration.
"RiverClan," Perchfall began, glancing around at the rest of her Clanmates in camp, "we meet today because one of our apprentices is ready to receive her ceremony. She has proved herself a valiant member of RiverClan, and worthy beyond doubt to join our ranks as a full-fledged warrior." There was a slight twinkle, nearly buried in light blue, in the deputy's eyes as she met her apprentice's gaze once more. "Poppypaw, please step forward." In that moment, there was no anxiety or worry. She would be happy for the bright spot of light in the Clan's life.
~~PM me here or on Discord if you want a topic with any of my cats!~~ ~Wonderful Signature by Xaandiir!~
Splotch
Characters : Sleepycloud, Hopepaw, Lakekit Clan/Rank : Ye Old Member-- ALL THUNDERCLAN OOPS Sleepycloud (T2), Hopepaw [App], Lake [Kit] Number of posts : 3552 Gender : She/her Age : 24
Owlpaw sat upright, near Poppypaw, but not close enough to draw attention. The dark pelted tom watched with bated breath, golden eyes shining as he watched his fellow apprentice step in front of the clan. Despite how things were, how dark the world seemed. This was one light he couldn't let go of.
With a quiet purr and a nod of encouragement from him, he waited, excited to hear the new name of his closest friend.
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✲Sleepycloud✲ || ✲Hopepaw✲ || ✲Lakekit✲
xaandiir Former Staff
Characters : [P]oppyshine; [Pi]neblossom; [W]hisperear; [C]rookedlight; [L]arkspring; [Wi]llowwisp Clan/Rank : RC T5 Deputy; SC T5; WC T5; SkC T5; RC T4; RC T4 Number of posts : 2969 Gender : Any Pronouns Age : 25
Poppypaw’s eyes widened as Perchfall looked to her. It was her warrior ceremony. Her heart swelled with excitement, pride, and love as she met her mentor’s eyes. She was grateful that Perchfall was leading this ceremony for her, too. She still cared for their leader, despite the difficult decisions he’d made—wait, had she seen Jaystar recently?—but she was far happier to have her mentor welcome her into warriorhood.
She stepped forward to Perchfall’s side, scarcely being able to contain her excitement. She looked to her clan and briefly caught Owlpaw’s gaze. She gave him a small nod and struggled to keep back her huge grin. Withholding her excitement, desperately trying to appear contained and stoic, she held her chin high and awaited those beloved words from Perchfall.
Noting the apprentice's enthusiasm, Perchfall barely kept a small, answering smile from breaking onto her face just yet. She also, momentarily, saw the glance shared between Poppypaw and Owlpaw. Interesting. But that wasn't important right now. Returning her focus to the ceremony, the deputy nodded in affirmation. She was not going to modify the ceremony words in any way... this was the first warrior ceremony she had performed, and it was for the best apprentice any cat had ever had. She deserved StarClan's blessing, wherever they were. "I, Perchfall, deputy of RiverClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of the code, and I recommend her to you as a warrior in her turn." Her gaze looked closely into the calico's green eyes. "Poppypaw. Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
Poppypaw closed her eyes briefly as Perchfall first spoke. She sent out her own calls up to StarClan, silently asking for their guidance as she entered the life of a warrior, and of hopes that they were okay. She didn’t know where StarClan was, if they were truly gone or if they were just hidden. She hoped for the latter, but either way, she knew that she had her clan with her. StarClan was far away even in the best of times. It was her clan that she needed to rely on and love. Every single cat of RiverClan, even those Poppypaw had spoken to only briefly, were important to her. She would not let them down.
She opened her eyes and met Perchfall’s steady gaze.
“Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan?”
“Even at the cost of your life?”
She thought of all that she had experienced in her life. Jaystar being the first cat she met outside of the nursery. Mallowmist who she had met as an apprentice, a wonderful cat who had been taken too soon but whose life and joy lives on in Brookkit and Duckkit. Moon, who was given another chance at clan life and who was still learning while looking out for his fellow cats. Poor Beaverpaw, whose life was taken before she could reach this point in her life, and who Poppypaw hoped had received some sort of closure or path to StarClan despite everything going on. Owlpaw and Rushpaw, two amazing apprentices—her friends—who had helped teach her so much and given her comfort and care and joy and happiness. Ashflight who looked after her ensured that she stayed out of harm’s way. All of her friends in this beautiful clan who looked after her and each other; those that loved so much and protected their way of life. Her mind went to Softfall and the damage that he had done to not only her, but also Martenpaw and others in the clan…the pain he must be going through, and how as twisted as it was, he was doing it to help his clan. Poppypaw would never do such heinous things as he, but she could understand his desire to help protect his clan. Poppypaw felt it too: that fierceness, that willingness to put anything on the line for her clan and those she loved.
Her mind finally landed on, of course, her beloved Perchfall. The best mentor she could have asked for. A cat who transcended beyond mentorship and felt like a mother to Poppypaw. The cat who had taught her everything she knew about the forest; who had guided her to her first Gathering and spoke with her along the way; who had taught her how to hunt fish and battle enemies; who had rescued her when she foolishly fell into the water and saved her life; who had scarcely managed to mask her fury after Softfall’s attack on her and who went into enemy territory to ensure justice. Perchfall, the cat who had given her her apprentice name, and who was about to grant her her warrior name as well.
Poppypaw knew the answer in her heart. Her clan were her friends, her family. Her clan was her everything. Without them, she would be lost. This was what being a warrior meant. This was what she was entrusted with by taking the name about to be spoken from Perchfall’s maw and it was the trust and love of her clan that gave her the courage to move forward.
“Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?”
Yes. Poppypaw knew the answer.
“I promise,” Poppypaw said, her voice steady and calm and loud enough that the cats gathered could hear her. She would give her life in an instant for any of them. She was a warrior of RiverClan, and she was proud beyond measure to be one.
As usual, Poppypaw's emotions were visible through her eyes and body language. The firm set of her paws, her ears perking up, her eyes wandering the Clan and the skies and then locking back onto Perchfall's own. In those few seconds of silence, everything was plain to see for any Clanmate, but especially for her mentor, who had known her and worked with her since she was very young. The poor she-cat had gone through so much-- the Dark Forest attacks, losing Clanmates, nearly drowning, attempted murder at the claws of another cat-- and yet, Poppypaw was unshakable. That bright light always shone in her eyes, determined, loving, always refusing to give up on the warmth that she lent to every cat she loved. And for some reason, she was numbered among them. She, Perchfall, who previously had one friend and no family and an empty position to her name. She, worthy of the complete adoration that blazed from such a sweet cat's heart? She, the object of admiration from such a promising young warrior who would be sure to lead the Clan someday? It was hard to fathom. And yet, as she sat on the branch, gazing down with pride as the words were spoken, she believed it.
Perchfall's heart was full, and that strange but slightly more familiar warmth began to permeate her previously stressed, tense form. Poppypaw was the most worthy cat she had ever met; RiverClan would be blessed to have her among its ranks. "Then by the power of StarClan," she spoke, her tone noticeably less neutral than normal, "I give you your warrior name." Light blue eyes once again sought bright, sparkling green. The light of her apprentice's spirit shone out through them, dazzling the world that was barely worthy to be reflected in them. Though she had been thinking about many options, a name came to her like a flash of sunlight behind a cloud. Her name. "Poppypaw... from this moment on, you will be known as Poppyshine. We honor your kindness and warmth, and we welcome you as a full warrior of RiverClan."
Ending the ceremony, Perchfall leapt gracefully down from the Branch, and approached the newly named warrior, laying her muzzle on the top of the now-taller calico head. Such a gesture of closeness would previously have been uncomfortable for her, but the physical affection she had received from the apprentice had made the action more familiar. It seemed almost natural. "Congratulations, Poppyshine," she murmured, finally allowing all the pride and joy she felt to suffuse her voice now that only one could hear. It was almost unnecessary to say, but she had to make sure. Words, as much as she often wished to stay silent, were important. These ones meant everything to her. They came out barely more than a whisper: "I am very proud of you."
~~PM me here or on Discord if you want a topic with any of my cats!~~ ~Wonderful Signature by Xaandiir!~
Splotch
Characters : Sleepycloud, Hopepaw, Lakekit Clan/Rank : Ye Old Member-- ALL THUNDERCLAN OOPS Sleepycloud (T2), Hopepaw [App], Lake [Kit] Number of posts : 3552 Gender : She/her Age : 24
What a perfect name for her! Owlpaw let out a loud purr, tail swaying in the wind. "Poppyshine! Poppyshine! Poppyshine!" He called, letting his voice rise in sync with the rest of the clan.
He wasn't far behind Poppyshine. Soon, he would be in the same boat, a brand new warrior. Swearing loyalty to the clan, and the code. But, Poppyshine had a certain draw to her that Owlpaw was certain others felt. A brightness to the forest with each encouraging smile, or comment. Shine was a fantastic name, because it encapsulated the effort she gave, and the friendships that grew around her just as the poppies grew out of the snow.
Rushpaw had gathered with the rest of the clan, finding some solace in the call of Perchfall. It was one of the few things that stayed constant, even in the absence of the leader. He settled not far off from Poppypaw. As the she-cat's name was called, the apprentice's interest was peaked, glancing between the deputy and his friend. Could it be that she was finally going to earn her name? If any cat, she had the heart of a warrior. A smile crossed his maw as he watched the ceremony.
As soon as her warrior name was declared, his grin grew and his yowl rose, "Poppyshine! Poppyshine! Poppyshine!" After the deputy congratulated her apprentice, Rushpaw trotted over and butted his head affectionately into her shoulder, "You'll be the best warrior, I know it."
xaandiir Former Staff
Characters : [P]oppyshine; [Pi]neblossom; [W]hisperear; [C]rookedlight; [L]arkspring; [Wi]llowwisp Clan/Rank : RC T5 Deputy; SC T5; WC T5; SkC T5; RC T4; RC T4 Number of posts : 2969 Gender : Any Pronouns Age : 25
Tears welled up in her eyes as Perchfall spoke her new name…Poppyshine. She was Poppyshine now. It was a cherished name given to her from Perchfall. Her mother had given her the name of Poppy, and now Perchfall had given her the name of Shine. She felt complete, and warmth spread through her body. When Perchfall set her chin atop her head and spoke those few words, the tears flowed freely. She pressed up against Perchfall and purred, happy and full of love.
When she finally pulled herself away to meet with the rest of her clan, their words were almost overwhelming. She pushed her face against Owlpaw’s and then Rushpaw’s, and her heart swelled with joy. “Thank you everyone,” she mewed in a voice filled with emotion. “I-I’ll do my best by all of you. Thank you.” Her vigil would take place soon. For the moment, though, she was with her family.
