peonypaw's warrior ceremony

She had let Acornstem take the lead on several of the last warrior ceremonies, hoping to train her deputy in what would be her role one day. But this ceremony? This one was something special. Mottlestar herself had definitely wanted to be the one to take the lead, and she found her paws itching with a particular rush of excitement. She'd given several of her kits their warrior names, each time the ceremony being something more than special. While still family, this would be the first ceremony of its kind. She'd be naming her grandkit. That thought alone pushed the tortoiseshell atop the highrock, calling out to her clan.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting!"

Peonypaw padded out of the apprentice den with a happy smile. Today was her ceremony and her grandmother was the one doing it. She sat down in the front, tail wrapped around her paws, and she smiled up at mottlestar. It took a while but peonypaw did finally get rid of her shyness.  

Firefly took a seat next to Peonypaw, giving a quick lick to her daughters calico head. While she didn't fully understand the roles of a mother, she had enjoyed watching Peonypaw grow and learn even at a distance. A part of her felt guilty for not always being around, but if this was her adopted daughter's warrior ceremony? Things could change; she could bond with her better when they shared the same rank and den.

As the well-groomed apprentice sat among the crowd, Mottlestar couldn't help but let out a purr. That purr rumbled nearly loud enough for her clanmates to hear when she saw her daughter sit beside her, too. Firefly had done her best to be a motherly figure to Peonypaw, and that had made the tortoiseshell feel so much more pride than words could ever convey. In fact, she looked directly at her little flame, giving her a slow blink of love and pride. You've raised her well, little fire. Her blink silently conveyed that sentiment, but without much more hesitance, it was time to continue on.

She rose to her paws to signal the beginning of the meeting, and her gaze once more settled upon the apprentice. "Thunderclan, I've called you to celebrate the transition of yet another of one of our apprentices to being a fully-fledged warrior. This apprentice came to us in the forest, and quickly became loved by many in the Clan. Firefly, my daughter, especially nurtured this young life into the wonderful young molly she is today. Peonypaw, please step forward." Pride shimmered every single one of Mottlestar's words. The love of a mother, of a grandmother, helping carry them to her clan.

"Peonypaw, you have spent your life learning the ways of Thunderclan, as well as how to protect and uphold the warrior code. I feel it is time for you to earn your full warrior name and place within our Clan. But just as we accept and love you with our hearts, you must accept us as well. Peonypaw, do you promise to defend and serve your Clan in the name of the warrior code, even at the cost of your life?"

Peonypaw smiled up and with a clear voice, for the first time ever. "I pomisr!"  she mewed loudly.

That was all the confirmation that the leader needed. Nodding her head, the then once more allowed her gaze to turn towards the crowd. "Then let it be known that from this day forth, you shall be called Peonypaw no longer. You have grown beyond that name with your friendliness and care. Ridgecrest has trained you in our ways well, and Firefly has raised you to have the true heart of a Thunderclan warrior. Tonight, you will sit in silent vigil while the clan sleeps, protecting your home as is custom. With the powers Starclan has given me, I am proud to be the first to announce you by your new name."

"Thunderclan, I am honored to introduce to you all for the very first time, your newest warrior: Peonylight!"

Her voice rang out loud, as if in saying her name for the first time, it was Mottlestar's cheer. Leaping off the High Rock, she crossed the space to the apprentice, placing her nose directly atop the new warrior's head. With a warm purr, the grandmother rumbled to her grandkit, "I'm so proud of you, little flower. Congratulations, and may the warm light you shine with continue to light up your clanmate's lives."

A purr burst from Firefly's chest the second her daughter's warrior name left Mottlestars mouth. "Peonylight! Peonylight!" Her own cheers rang high above the crowds. "You've come so far, little one. I thank StarClan for giving me the opportunity to continue to watch you grow. I've prepared a nest next to mine in the warriors den for after your vigil." She gave Peonylight a few congratulatory links on the head and ears.

Mottlestar's head bumped against her daughter's shoulder, a warm purr sounding out. "You've done a great job raising her, my little flame. I'm proud of both of you." After all, credit was to be given where credit was due.

Peonylight licked both her mother and grandmother for it was a happy occasion. When she heard she would be sleeping next to her mother she got even happier. "Thank you." she mewed towards them. Truthfully thankful of everything.