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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"So you were never a saint and I've loved in shades of wrong. We learn to live with the pain, mosaic broken hearts."
A decent amount of time had passed since Fawnshine had taken Echopaw under her wings to become a medicine cat. He had proven himself well worth the position and praise she often gave out when he did well, with the intensive knowledge of herbology. He had helped her out plenty when times had been difficult, and thinking back, perhaps she had taken him a bit for granted. Though of course, things have changed drastically since then.
Having pondered on the decision for days, she knew it was one they would not be able to go back after it took place under the official approval of both her paws and StarClan; such an ancestral force that she held personal disdain for, though not for illogical reasons. Still, it was not her part to decide on whether or not they would be included in his ceremony, as it was formally custom of so. Still, the final decision would lay in his paws.
"Echopaw?" She called out for him, preparing the herb bundle at his paws when he did come over. "I've called you over for a reason today. And that, I believe, is that now is the proper time for you to earn your full title as a medicine cat." A gentle smile lay on her maw, observing his reaction with a lingering sense of pride. "You've proven yourself plenty capable enough for the responsibility. As always, once you've finished eating the herbs, we can begin on our journey to the Highstones for your ceremony."
ft. Taylor Swift in — State of Grace Echopaw's Medicinecat ceremony
The soothing scent of freshly picked lavender filled his nostrils as he weaved the long stems of the herb into the tangled fern walls of the entrance to the medicine den. The tom had had the idea recently to intertwine the lavender with the ferns and brambles that surrounded the den. The lavender exuded a soft warming scent and hopefully would calm any patients they had.
As he worked on his lavender project he slipped into the depths of a daydream, thinking about his own life and how far he had come. Flashes and memories peppered his mind and only when he heard his name be called did he snap from his reverie.
His ears pricked as Fawnshine called him and he looked down to the herb bundle in her paws. Was it time for him to bring another apprentice to the Moonstone? Shrewpaw? Molepaw?
Fawnshine's words came out in slow motion for him, his eyes widened and his heart started to beat faster. A bundle of nerves tumbled in his stomach and ultimately his brow furrowed. Fawnshine had always commended him when he did well and made him feel appreciated and talented. ..And yet. He found himself hesitating. He found himself questioning whether or not he was truly ready. He shook his head. Echopaw trusted his aunt and mentor. If she believed him to be ready, then so be it.
The tom took a deep breath. In and out. Get it together. This is what you've been waiting for.
Nodding sharply he consumed the herbs in front of him, "I'm ready, Fawnshine." his voice was more confident than his demeanor but nonetheless, he was indeed ready.
______________________________________
ECHOSONG
FAWNEYE
SLEEPYHOLLOW
STAGPAW
WEAVER
Thunderclan T3 Medicine Cat
Riverclan T3 Warrior
Windclan T5 Warrior
Shadowclan Apprentice
Loner Kitten
Arcana
Characters : [F]awnshine, [Fe]nnelbreeze, [T]hrushnose, [H]arrierpaw Number of posts : 1477 Gender : Gender fluid, She/They Age : 14
Subject: Re: Echopaw's Medicine Cat Ceremony Sun 23 Jul 2023 - 2:48
Fawn shine
And did the twin flame bruise paint you blue?
"So you were never a saint and I've loved in shades of wrong. We learn to live with the pain, mosaic broken hearts."
Even if some of his body language portrayed him otherwise, Fawnshine believed Echopaw had enough judgment to decide for himself and his fate as an upcoming medicine cat. It was a decision she was respectful of, as either way, she knew he'd continue to do well. "Well then, let us go." She nodded, a gentle purr escaping her maw as the she-cat began to lead him outside the entryway of camp.
----⋆.ೃ࿔*:･----
Through the familiar darkness of the tunnel soon reached a glowing light. Ripples of its shining reflection were cast onto the cave walls, decorating the once dimly-lit space with enough brightness to cause one's eyes to widen in shock. It could've been just her imagination, though, on tonight's occasion, she found it to be shining brighter than most trips to the Highstones. With a warm smile, she gestured for Echopaw to step up and stand in front of the Moonstone. The spotlight was on him now.
With a gaze full of intent, she gazed up to begin and address their ancestors. "I, Fawnshine, Medicine cat of Thunderclan call upon our ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to learn the ways of the medicine cat, and will serve his clan for many moons." She spoke, repeating the words of her mentor as he has once spoken to her. Then, she glanced down at Echopaw."Echopaw, do you promise to uphold the way of the medicine cat? To stand apart from rivalry between clan and clan? And to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?"
ft. Taylor Swift in — State of Grace echopaw's medicinecat ceremony
Unlike most trips to Highstones this one was most definitely different. He found himself completely silent, but his head was swimming with thoughts, of the future and the past. But there wasn't a shred of nervousness, he knew what he wanted and trusted in Fawnshine and Starclan to lead his paws.
----⋆.ೃ࿔*:･----
The cold stone of Mothermouth was colder as he descended into to tunnel. His surprise was evident as they entered the cave that held the moonstone. His eyes reflected the dancing glow of the reflections on the Moonstone, he was filled with an unplaced emotions and hot tears pricked at his eyes as he took a step into the moonlight. When Fawnshine spoke to him he heard Pricklebush in her voice, he heard Sunfire and every cat he had lost in his time as a medicine cat apprentice. He swallowed his emotions and nodded, "Yes, Fawnshine. I promise." Echopaw's voice didn't falter.
______________________________________
ECHOSONG
FAWNEYE
SLEEPYHOLLOW
STAGPAW
WEAVER
Thunderclan T3 Medicine Cat
Riverclan T3 Warrior
Windclan T5 Warrior
Shadowclan Apprentice
Loner Kitten
Arcana
Characters : [F]awnshine, [Fe]nnelbreeze, [T]hrushnose, [H]arrierpaw Number of posts : 1477 Gender : Gender fluid, She/They Age : 14
"So you were never a saint and I've loved in shades of wrong. We learn to live with the pain, mosaic broken hearts."
Fawnshine felt the sentimental sensation of her standing here, once again, reminded of the apprentice she had lost many moons prior. Her smile bright and her spirits eager. And at that moment, she could feel everything in her, all at once, collide.
The words of confirmation that young Echopaw spoke still stood, only then he had been somewhat skittish, and all too eager to get into the role that hadn't yet maybe realized the responsibility that he would have to carry on his shoulders. It was a pressure he could not escape from even as he grew, something she wished she could've warned herself and him about before she had gotten into the role. Both of their paws held the power of savior that would later affect cats in a matter of life or death. And as such, it was not something to be taken lightly. Still, he had made his decision and she could only hope that Echopaw would soon be the proud beholder of his new name.
"Then by the powers of our ancestors. I grant you your full Medicine Cat name. Echopaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Echosong." Fawnshine whispered, leaning in close enough to gently rest her maw atop Echosong's head, as if granting him a blessing. "Thank you for your devoted loyalty and empathy during our times of hardship. I'm proud of you. ThunderClan welcomes you as a full Medicine cat." With that, the she-cat pulled away, gesturing for him to touch his nose to the Moonstone. Her heterochromia irises bore a look of pride, warmth, and everything in between. "I'm sure Starclan, along with everyone, will approve of you. You've done well."
Looking down at the figure of the newly-named Echosong, she felt her gaze soften. He wasn't so young anymore, as much as he reminded her of Eggdrop—a bittersweet reminder of innocence and helpfulness that at the same time made her feel so helpless. Her shadow would forever linger in the depths of Fawnshine's mind, a promise gone unforgotten with grief. I hope she's alright, wherever she is. Shaking her head, the medicine cat hauled herself back into reality to stand in front of the tom. "I never thought time would've passed so quickly..." She chuckled, "...And yet, it did. I'm glad, nevertheless."
ft. Taylor Swift in — State of Grace echopaw's medicinecat ceremony
He recalled the warning Pricklebush had given him, the tom had asked him a few times whether or not he was sure about his career path. Each time Echopaw had stood strong. He wanted to be there for his clan, be their crutch should they need assistance, be their guidance and link to the stars. He was prepared for the inevitable pain and loss he would experience - he was ready to put aside his own feelings to help a fellow cat. This selflessness was second nature to him and would no doubt help him in his path as a medicine cat. He didn't shy away from his mentors touch and as she rested her muzzle atop his head he felt a warm sensation grow from his whiskers to his paws. A soft breeze pushed through the hole in the top of the cave and ruffled his long fur and he felt as if Starclan was already in his paws.
Echosong saw the pain in his mentors eyes and his ears flattened his own gaze turning slightly melancholy, he knew he was in the paws of Fawnshines old apprentice, he had great steps to fill and he hoped he could make Fawnshine proud.
The tom slowly pressed his nose to the cold Moonstone and found himself quickly falling asleep, the words of his mentor singing him to sleep like a lullaby.
----⋆.ೃ࿔*:･----
When Echosong awoke he found himself standing in the middle of a lush green meadow. The sky was clear and blue, and a warm breeze made the long grasses and blooming flowers sway. The tendrils of grass glittered with stars and he couldn't help but lift a paw to touch them.
In the distance he could hear kits laughing and giggling, and he turned to look. There across the field, he saw a few queens watching over small kits with dazzling pelts he waved his tail in greeting and they smiled back. In moments the tom heard paw steps approach him and he soon recognized the familiar scent. All Starclan cats smelled the same to him. Their pelts shone like ice and carried all the scents of every season: the tang of leaf-bare, the fresh scent of green-leaf, the musk of leaf-fall and the sweet blossom of new leaf.
In the meadow, he waited. It seemed that all he had done his entire life was wait. Wait to be made a warrior, wait to be made a medicine cat, wait to be useful. And now that he was dead, there was nothing left to do but wait. Wait to be called upon like a loyal dog, wait to be noticed, wait to be allowed to affect anything in the forest for anyone's benefit. During his lull, while he was waiting, he had been watching. Watching ThunderClan, his former home. Watching the chaos that scattered the higher ranks and put them through more trials in a shorter span of time than he thought possible. Watching the forest devolve into a brawl when lightning fell from the sky--how he wished he could send lightning whenever he wanted to. But mostly, he was watching Mottlestar. Mostly, he was watching Echopaw.
The tom had done well. The path of a medicine cat was a difficult one, especially for one such as him, and yet Echopaw had risen to the challenge with a grace that his StarClan mentor had never quite been able to possess. So he agreed wholeheartedly when Fawnshine finally saw fit to bestow upon him his full name as a medicine cat. He agreed, and couldn't help but feel a brief spark of warm anticipation when he realized this meant he would be allowed to speak to the tom again.
And so it was that Pricklebush, former medicine cat of ThunderClan, sat waiting in the meadow of stars for the newly named medicine cat Echosong to approach. And so he did. The large tan tom approached, stars shining brightly through the mountain of his fur, gruff exterior not quite able to hide the gleam of care in his sage-green eyes. "Echosong," he responded, trying out the name on his tongue. It fit. A good name. When Mossbloom and Mistleshine had received their names, he had embraced them. But he wasn't sure if that would work quite the same for this tom--if it would be something that he wanted at all. Instead, Pricklebush strode forward and rested his muzzle on top of Echosong's head. It was a gesture similar to that used in warrior ceremonies, when the leader welcomed a warrior as part of the Clan. In such a way, he was now welcoming the tom to the ranks of those accepted to speak with the stars. "Congratulations, little leaf. You've done well. ...I'm proud."
Echosong turned his head at the sound of the tom's voice and found the strength to look him in the eyes. He was worthy of this position - he knew this now. After losing Sunfire and Honeypaw from the dog attack it was hard to think of himself as a good medicine cat apprentice. If he was supposed to help people, how could he live and work every day knowing he failed to save his clan members? It was a tough hill to get over, but now as he stood in the field of stars and gazed at his Starclan guide he felt his chest swell with a happiness, love, and assurance he had never experienced before.
He couldn't look away. Echosong was lost in Pricklebush's eyes and as he looked at the former medicine cat the white furred-tom hyper-focused on the reflection of himself in the blacks of his pupils. Echosong saw the scars from the Twolegs, he saw the strength in his muscled shoulders, but most clearly he saw all of the hardships he had to endure to get where he was now.
Before he knew it hot tears rolled down his cheeks as Pricklebush placed his muzzle on top of his head.
Congratulations, little leaf. You've done well.
Echosong's legs shook and he hiccuped as he sobbed.
...I'm proud.
The newly named medicine cat collapsed at Pricklebush's paws and he looked up at the starry tom, tears flowing steadily, "T-Thank you." he managed to choke out as he tried to gain control over his limbs.
