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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Characters : [R]owansong [Ro]okflight [S]ilverhawk [P]igeonpouce [F]ish [T]wilightkit Clan/Rank : [R] RiverClan T5 Elder [Ro] RiverClan T4 Warrior [S] ShadowClan T3 Warrior [P] T2 RiverClan Warrior [F] T2 Rogue [T] RiverClan Kit Number of posts : 2487 Gender : any or username Age : 22
Subject: Rainpaw's Warrior Ceremony Sun 5 Mar 2023 - 18:00
Birdstar
Birdstar already stood on the Tallbranch, keeping a careful eye on the cats that passed below her. A part of her was convincing herself of this; more importantly, she was counting who all was in camp. She wanted to make sure as many Clanmates were present as possible for this ceremony in particular. It was hard to believe she was about to call the Clan together for this. It still felt like just yesterday Rainpaw had been a kit, small and cold and sickly. Today, he would be a warrior.
Releasing a breath, Birdstar squared her shoulders and, with one more glance to make sure enough warriors were present, yowled, “Let all cats old enough to climb the trees, gather below the Tallbranch for a Clan meeting!”
Subject: Re: Rainpaw's Warrior Ceremony Sun 5 Mar 2023 - 18:27
Creamsky was resting outside of the warrior's den, dozing in the faint sunlight that managed to filter it way in between the branches high above - taking comfort in the scarce warmth it provided in the Leaf-bare air. However, his ears twitched at the familiar voice of Birdstar, pulling him from his slumber as he raised his head to look up at her before he pushed himself to his paws with a quiet huff and approached - taking a seat within the gathering crowd.
Rainpaw was quick to get to his feet at Birdstar’s announcement, pulling himself to his feet and shaking out his fur before trotting to join his gathering clanmates. He always enjoyed attending ceremonies. He liked feeling like a part of the rituals of clan life. He tilted his head back to look up at Birdstar up on the Tallbranch, smiling a little bit.
It didn’t take long at all for the Clan to gather. Birdstar noticed with a particular warmth Creamsky– and of course, Rainpaw, quick to find a place among the crowd. Her chest tightened a little, looking down at his small smile. She had a ceremony to progress now, though; swallowing around the tight lump of emotion in her throat, she kept her attention squarely on her son. “Rainpaw, step forward.” The call was simple and smooth. Birdstar’s eyes never left his during the quiet moment she allowed for him to move through the crowd. Once he’d reached the front, she broke eye contact finally just to close her eyes. “StarClan, I call upon you to look down on this apprentice. He’s trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in turn. Rainpaw,” Birdstar’s eyes opened again, misty when they found his face. “Do you promise to uphold the warrior code, to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?”
Rainpaw’s eyes widened as Birdstar called his name. His breath caught in his throat. Oh. A shiver ran through him, from the tip of his nose all the way to his tail. He really made it. He had proven himself. He was becoming a warrior of Skyclan. For a moment, all his usual pessimism and angst was blown away in the face of warm pride and kit-like wonder.
He wasn’t even conscious of the choice to move, gingerly picking his way through the crowd and weaving his small body through his clanmates until he was right at the foot of the Tallbranch. He kept his eyes on Birdstar the whole way. Maybe he could express with his gaze just how grateful he was to her.
Meeting his mother’s misty gaze, Rainpaw felt emotion choke his throat for a moment. He realized with a sudden sense of wonder that he had sat where dozens, hundreds, stars-know how many other young apprentices have sat. It was overwhelming, and yet, when he spoke, his voice rang clear and steady. “I do.” He promised, blue and yellow eyes shining with determination.
When Rainpaw’s voice rang out in turn, Birdstar couldn’t hold on to her stoic composure. She smiled, wide and earnest, and dipped her head in a low nod. At the very least she could maintain herself long enough to make it off the Tallbranch. She had been counting sunrises until this day, and she’d been considering this name for a while. She didn’t want to mess this up.
Raising her chin, Birdstar proudly announced, “Then from this day on, you will be known to all as Rainfrost. You are intelligent and dedicated, and SkyClan greatly honors that.” As soon as the words were finished, Birdstar was leaping off the Tallbranch and crossing the short distance to meet Rainpaw’s side. When she pressed her nose to his head, soft, gentle purrs rumbled through her throat. “My father’s name was Dovefrost. You’ll carry his name well.” She whispered before pulling away. Clearing her throat didn’t keep her cheeks dry of tears. Whisking her tail over his shoulder, she added, “I’m incredibly proud of you, Rainfrost. I hope your vigil is peaceful,” before stepping back slightly to allow others room to congratulate him.
Crookedpaw watched from the crowd, holding his breath as Birdstar led his friend through the ceremony. He leaned forward, eager to hear what name was to be bestowed upon him. As the name was announced, Crookedpaw’s face split into a huge smile and he joined in the cheering, “Rainfrost! Rainfrost! Rainfrost!”
He stood and bounced on his toes, waiting for Rainfrost to have a moment with his mother before he dashed over. He pressed up against Rainfrost, any worries and guilt and heavy feelings momentarily forgotten in the euphoria and joy for his friend. He purred as he pressed his face against Rainfrost’s. “Your name is wonderful! It’s a beautiful name!” he meowed eagerly. Crookedpaw pulled back and grinned at him with an expression much more akin to how he used to smile before his disappearance.
There was no denying the pure excitement and joy in Creamsky's voice as he happily chanted his friend's name. There was multiple reasons - he wasn't the lone warrior in their friend group anymore, they could go on patrols together...But more than anything, he was simply proud of his friend and with any luck Crookedpaw, Lightningpaw and Juniperpaw wouldn't be far behind them. He jumped onto his paws as Birdstar finished speaking with him, darting forward to properly greet the newly named warrior - thought Crookedpaw got there first. "Congrats, Rainfrost! It will be great to have a friend in the warrior's den with me finally," he joked, circling around to the other side of Rainfrost so he could give him a light bump of his shoulders. "There is plenty of room near my nest if you want - sooner or later, our group will take over an entire side of the den." He paused to glance over at Crookedpaw, giving the tom a large smile. "Don't leave us waiting too long before you join us, alright Crookedpaw?"
Knowing what the meeting was for, Wolfblossom smiled up at her sister on the tallbranch before making an effort to appear just a bit more neutral as the clan began to gather. Rainpaw was quickly called forward, and it was hard for Wolfblossom to keep the smile from her face at the expression on the apprentice's face.
"Rainfrost! Rainfrost!" The ceremony had concluded, and with it Skyclan gained a new warrior amid their ranks. Wolfblossom padded forward after a few other clanmates, offering the newly-named warrior a grin. "Congratulations, Rainfrost. You've more than earned this." She mewed, stepping back to let the rest of his clanmates offer their congratulations too.
Amidst the crowd came Lightningpaw's voice, cheering loudly for her friend. She couldn't help but think the name was fitting; just the way Rainpaw had been. She could only hope that when she stood where he was now, she would feel the same way about herself.
She ran forward, headbutting him affectionately- though perhaps with a bit more force than was required to get the message across. "You made it! I'll catch up soon, 'kay? Promise!"
”Rainfrost! Rainfrost!” Juniperpaw nearly screamed along with the crowd, trying her hardest not to start jumping up and down. It had taken a lot out of her not to start crying immediately upon seeing her brother up there with Birdstar— Stars above, they were getting old, weren’t they? Rainpaw had vehemently refused moons ago to become a warrior without his best friend at his side, and if Juniperpaw had to be honest she worried he would take up space in the apprentice den for the rest of his life. But like a miracle Crookedpaw had returned, and now they both would get to be warriors. Together, just like they wanted.
Juniperpaw had never been so happy for her brother. A few stray tears ran down her face, but the shouting was enough to cover it up; ”Rainfrost! Rainfrost!”
Rainfrost’s breath caught in his chest as he digested the new name, eyes wide. It felt right, in a way he didn’t know how to explain. It felt like him. Birdstar came over to him, and he was immediately burying his face in her fur, feeling her voice rumble through him as she spoke. He made a soft, choked sound as he realized the origin of the name.
He’d heard both Wolfblossom and Birdstar speak of Dovefrost, always with warmth and love in their tone, and he was so overwhelmed and honored by being given that name that he felt tears fill his eyes and dampen Birdstar’s fur. “Thank you,” He whispered as Birdstar began to pull away, looking up at her with still-damp eyes. “And I love you.”
And then Crookedpaw was upon him, pressing against him and smiling like he used to, and Rainfrost felt his cheeks hurt from the force of the smile he gave in return. He felt strangely flustered at Crookedpaw calling his name beautiful, and it made butterflies dance in his stomach along with the joy. “Thank you!” He felt purrs already begin to rumble through his chest. “I can’t wait to find out what your name will be.” He said, looking at Crookedpaw with bright eyes. Moving into the warrior’s den felt like a daunting task all of a sudden, especially without Crookedpaw right by his side-
But Creamsky was there to remind him that he wouldn’t be doing it alone. He turned to grin wide at Creamsky, giggling a little as Creamsky bumped his shoulder and gently knocking against him in return. “I’m looking forward to it,” He tells Creamsky honestly. “We’ll have to go on a patrol together.”His paws began to knead the ground in excitement, unable to contain the joy and wonder he was feeling right then.
Eyes drawn to Wolfblossom as she approached him as well, Rainfrost stepped forward before she could pull back entirely and bumped against her chest with his head. “Thank you, auntie.” He says, simply, softly, carrying the weight of the overwhelming love he felt towards the family who had taken him in. He gave her another bright, warm smile as she pulled away, and stars he wasn't used to smiling this much at once.
Lightningpaw’s sudden arrival knocked him out of the heavy emotions, and off his feet too, he ended up stumbling and having to catch himself on Crookedpaw. But the laugh he let out was warm and bright and oh, oh Rainfrost was starting to get overwhelmed, but it was a good kind of overwhelmed. “I made it!” He echoed, giving into the sudden impulse to headbutt her right back, though his was a lot less effective. “I can’t wait.” He grinned at her.
And then his eyes landed on his sweet baby sister, and he wiggled out of the crowd that had gathered around him long enough to take the few steps over to her. He leaned up and pressed his forehead to hers, smiling brightly at her. “You better be joining me soon too, okay?” He told her. Feeling unusually sappy and sentimental, he rubbed against her and added a soft, “Love you, Juni.”
