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 : 2485 Gender : any or username Age : 22
Subject: Bubblepaw's Warrior Ceremony Sat 3 Feb 2024 - 19:00
Birdstar
It was hard to believe, even after a few days had passed and there'd been enough cleaning and repair work done to imagine their camp had never been empty, but... they were home. Home, and it was real. Not without difficulty or loss, with only more to look forward to, but SkyClan had returned. An apprentice had already been named under the Tallbranch's watch. Thymelight already had to make the arduous trek back to Highstones so an older apprentice could convene with StarClan--by the Moonstone, not in a faraway field somewhere. Birdstar looked around camp for the cat in question (and just to savor the view again), eyes lingering on the gray coat she found for a moment before making her way up the Tallbranch. Under the snow, the bark was rough and familiarly welcome against her pads. After clearing her throat, Birdstar lifted her chin and called out, "All cats old enough to climb the trees, gather below the Tallbranch for a Clan meeting."
Subject: Re: Bubblepaw's Warrior Ceremony Sat 3 Feb 2024 - 21:25
Bubblepaw's ears perked up when she heard Birdstar call the summons. Some part of her dreaded the announcement, thinking it might be about war or the turmoil in the forest or something worse, but she soothed the thoughts by reminding herself that it was probably a ceremony. There were a lot of kits, after all, and lots of apprentices too. Heck--it might even be her ceremony. The idea was unlikely, but caused a mixed flutter of apprehension and excitement as she made her way to join the crowd beneath the Tallbranch.
~~PM me here or on Discord if you want a topic with any of my cats!~~ ~Wonderful Signature by Xaandiir!~
downfive Former Staff
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 : 2485 Gender : any or username Age : 22
Subject: Re: Bubblepaw's Warrior Ceremony Sat 3 Feb 2024 - 21:45
Birdstar
Birdstar's gaze hadn't traveled far from Bubblepaw while she watched the Clan gather largely in periphery. She wondered if there might have been resignation in Bubblepaw's nearly-matching eyes. Birdstar wouldn't have blamed her, if there was: to be wounded as terribly as she was just before being thrown into the chaos leaf-bare had been, the unshrouding of their brewing war... Bubblepaw wasn't a soldier by design, like some others, but that made her no less capable or valued; she would be a fine warrior. If she weren't already family, she was trained by Rainfrost. Lionstripe had been raised well by him--a thought that put brief barbs in her throat--and Birdstar would value no one's opinion if she couldn't value her son's.
Birdstar's loosely circling attention tightened, focusing on the apprentice once more. "Bubblepaw, please step forward." She nodded as she spoke to affirm any worries she'd called the wrong name. After allowing a moment to process and proceed, she continued on: "I call upon our warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in turn. Bubblepaw: Do you promise to uphold the warrior code--to protect and defend your Clan--even at the cost of your life?" The vow she asked fell heavier on some ears than others. Birdstar had no doubt the weight was bruising upon Bubblepaw's. Asking to draw blood-- to have your own drawn --for those that shared yours, to potentially kill or be killed for them, was a difficult promise to ask. Birdstar's stare remained riveted, searching all of Bubblepaw for any sign of flinch or hesitance before she spoke yet betraying none of her thought.
Subject: Re: Bubblepaw's Warrior Ceremony Sat 3 Feb 2024 - 22:18
Oh. Oh. It was hers, after all. As if the idle thought had summoned the idea to Birdstar's mind, the name that rang out suddenly through the clearing was her own. Bubblepaw felt her throat tighten in consternation, but she stepped forward anyway, if only because she couldn't deny the commanding tone in the leader's voice. Her ceremony. Her warrior ceremony. She knew it would be coming soon, probably, due to the fact that she'd gotten to visit the Moonstone with Thymelight recently. And yet, even thinking about the journey made her wonder if she was ready for this. What would Great-Aunt Birdstar think, if she knew that Bubblepaw had spoken with her long-dead older sister... who had thrown her allegiance in with RiverClan? If she knew that Bubblepaw had sympathized? Hopefully she wouldn't mind, but the idle thought scared her. Still she looked up with slightly pinned-back ears, wide eyes fixed on the leader.
"Do you promise to uphold the warrior code--to protect and defend your Clan--even at the cost of your life?"
At the cost of her life. The thought, probably nebulous and dreamlike to so many others, felt all too real to her. The foxes, the wolves, the ThunderClan patrol--any could have claimed her life. Some came very close. She couldn't suppress the urge to reach up and brush the nasty scar that slashed across her eye. It could have hit her throat instead. Was she willing to commit to that... to commit to doing that again? Over and over, whenever it was necessary? Quietly, in her heart, she knew that the answer might be no. If confronted with battle, then nine times out of then, she would turn tail and run. But she had fought back against the ThunderClan patrol, hadn't she? And she'd fought back against the foxes. She could fight, if she had to. She just didn't want to. She wanted nothing less. But she could. So if it became necessary... if everyone's lives were at stake, then maybe she could after all. And maybe she'd get better, right? Maybe becoming a warrior would magically make her better at fighting. So she swallowed down the sour mixture of fear and post-traumatic stress and worry, and instead said the words she knew that she had to say. "...I do."
~~PM me here or on Discord if you want a topic with any of my cats!~~ ~Wonderful Signature by Xaandiir!~
downfive Former Staff
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 : 2485 Gender : any or username Age : 22
Subject: Re: Bubblepaw's Warrior Ceremony Sat 3 Feb 2024 - 23:51
Birdstar
It might have been with a half-heartbeat of delay to swallow down having to cross the--in an apprentice's paws--endless gulf that lay between crowd and Tallbranch's heel, but Bubblepaw walked boldly across the chasm. She was quiet in the question's echo. Birdstar never minded waiting for an answer if it ensured her warriors were confident in the loyalty they swore. Needling anticipation crept into her paws watching Bubblepaw feel at her scar, untangleable emotions swirling in her vibrant eyes. But nevermind the itch: she had faith. Birdstar's heart squeezed, hearing the dryness in her niece's voice when her answer came, but she understood it. Were there another broad rank beyond being shafted to the nursery or elder's den, perhaps Bubblepaw wouldn't have wanted warriorhood; Birdstar hadn't wanted her rank, either. They both knew the necessity of it, though.
"Then by the power of StarClan, I grant you your new name as a warrior." Birdstar bid a lower nod this time; deeper, to inflect more respect, before she went on to announce the name. "From this day on, you will be known to all as Bubblebeam. SkyClan honors your optimism and kindness." It would have been impossible for her to go through life without having some of kithood's naive light dimmed, but hers hadn't been dulled entirely. Despite her messy patrol, the harrowing loss of her sister, the journey and illness and... everything. She held on to her own light, and it fell upon every cat around her like sunbeams. Descending the Tallbranch, Birdstar padded forward to rest her chin on the new warrior's head. "Congratulations, Bubblebeam," she murmured, resting there a moment before pulling away. "You've earned this--you have. You'll have time to move your nest to the warrior's den before your vigil." A frown drew her features. She'd never felt the stir of genuine worry for these well-wishes, but the thought of a RiverClan patrol creeping out of the night upon Bubblebeam... Birdstar's whiskers twitched and she refocused. "May it be a quiet one. I look forward to seeing you continue to grow, Bubblebeam." With that, she stepped away to join the crowd in cheering.
Subject: Re: Bubblepaw's Warrior Ceremony Sun 4 Feb 2024 - 0:05
She almost held her breath, hoping that Birdstar didn't see through her--or if she did, that it wouldn't be an obstacle. Hoping somehow that the vow would be undone and she wouldn't need to make good on the promise she'd given herself. But when Great-Aunt Birdstar spoke again, it wasn't to condemn her or to cast her out of the Clan. It was to give her a name... a new name.
Bubblebeam.
She blinked. It sounded... nice, actually. She wasn't sure what she had been expecting. Beam? Like the rays of the sun? Optimism and kindness... The newly-named warrior tried to reconcile her new name and the deep nod of respect with the worry that crawled across Birdstar's features, in tandem with the anxiety swirling in her own heart. This ought to have been a moment of pride. She should feel proud of herself... right? The soft gray she-cat tried to rekindle her sense of self, remember the kit that had stood here previously at her last ceremony. It was difficult, especially with the frown the leader gave her, but... she could remember the dream she'd once had. To be a warrior, with her family. "Thank you," she managed to say, not quite able to bring a smile to her face. It had nothing to answer, anyway.
Bubblekit had been bright and naive, and Bubblepaw had been through so much. But who was Bubblebeam? For now, she honestly didn't know.
It made her uncomfortable, all this attention. She should've liked it. Knowing that she should feel happy was worse than the emptiness replacing it. Quickly her pale-green eyes glanced around the crowd, searching almost desperately for family, for friends to convince her this was worth celebrating. To remind her of why she'd taken the vow that she was already regretting in the first place.
Subject: Re: Bubblepaw's Warrior Ceremony Sun 4 Feb 2024 - 11:57
It was with poorly contained excitement that Wolfblossom sat below the tallbranch watching her granddaughter be called forward, a soft smile lighting up the tired deputy's face. It had been a long road to get here, but Bobblepaw was ready.
Perhaps, in another life, Bubblepaw might not have chosen to become a warrior. She was a kind, gentle-natured she-cat. The path of a warrior was anything but, and she had seen that first-paw. Still, the words from the soon-to-be named warrior carried conviction. For all Bubblepaw's fears, she had fought when it counted and fought even now against them.
"Bubblebeam! Bubblebeam!" Wolfblossom joined in with her clanmates, padding forward with a purr. "I know it hasn't been easy, but Birdstar is right. You've earn this, and I am so proud of you. May your vigil be a peaceful one, Bubblebeam." Wolfblossom mewed before stepping aside to allow the rest of her clanmates and family to congratulate Bubblebeam.
---
"Bubblebeam!" Graywind too had been watching the ceremony, delighted to see her niece earn her long-awaited warrior name. Approaching her with a smile, Graywind spoke, "Congratulations Bubblebeam!" With that the warrior retreated to allow others to congratulate Skyclan's newest warrior.
It was with a disinterested grunt that Hemlockfox got to his paws and headed into the center of the camp. Birdstar's voice never failed to garner his attention, but he didn't particularly care to watch yet another kit become an apprentice. Regardless, it really didn't take all that long to simply sit through a ceremony, so the brown point tom padded leisurely into the clearing and found a spot near his aunt, Graywind, to observe whatever announcement Birdstar had to make.
Despite the boring nature of it, ceremonies at least proved that Skyclan was still growing and thriving. He would, if nothing else, prefer a dull ceremony to more bad news on the situation with Thunderclan and Riverclan. It unsettled Hemlockfox to know that he would likely be leaving his home during a time of turmoil for them, which was why he'd put off his departure for so long already. No news was good news and as much as he used to enjoy battle, he didn't want to sit helplessly in Windclan as a two-sided war raged on at home.
Being a medicine cat was boring at best and downright aggravating at worst. Occasionally, a sick cat would come to him seeking help and, though he didn't enjoy seeing his clanmates injured, tending to a bloody wound every now and then made things interesting. Besides, he thought wryly, it was always gratifying to see exactly how his talents grew the longer he studied herbs and healing. Perhaps, someday, he would get the chance to treat a truly horrible injury...it would be an exciting challenge, if nothing else. He could do that in Windclan, they didn't matter nearly as much to him as his kin here did.
Frowning, the tom cast his gaze upwards to Birdstar, listening with growing satisfaction and pride as she called Bubblepaw forward. Warmth flooded his chest as his sister padded into the center of the crowd and went through the ceremony with...a surprisingly amount of hesitance. Head tipped slightly to the side, Hemlockfox watched as the ceremony concluded and lifted his voice in tandem with their clanmates' to hail his sister by her new name. "Bubblebeam, Bubblebeam!"
Once the cheering subsided, the medicine cat trotted up to the gray she-cat and rubbed his cheek firmly against hers, chest rumbling from the force of his purring. "Well done, Bubblebeam." He said cheerfully. Her time as an apprentice hadn't been easy, but Birdstare was right - Bubblebeam fully deserved this name...even if she herself didn't believe so. "You'll do great things for Skyclan - I just know it." He added firmly.
Subject: Re: Bubblepaw's Warrior Ceremony Sun 4 Feb 2024 - 19:39
As if Birdsong was listening, Bubblebeam found her desperate prayer swiftly answered. Her name, called on different sides of the crowd, and family members coming to wish her well... just like she'd seen at other ceremonies. Celebration. Gramma Wolfblossom came first with her words of kindness, then Auntie Graywind saying much the same. And none were lies. She saw the honesty and care in their eyes. They were... proud of her. She deserved it, Wolfblossom said. Congratulations. All she could do was nod in response, a slow blink of gratitude. But the smile didn't come yet.
And then, all cold strangeness of hesitation fell away from the borders of her heart with the loudest purr and best greeting of all. Hemlockfox, formerly Bearpaw, her brother. She returned his gesture of familiarity, rubbing the softness of her fur against his own. Finally a small smile broke onto her face--a genuine one. "Thanks," she responded, her voice half-broken and completely full of warmth. "I only made it because of you. Love you forever, Bearbear." Her brother's name may have changed, but his nickname from their kithoods remained, said with a twinge of nostalgic familiarity that she wasn't quite willing to let go of.
Honeypaw yowled her friend's name as loud as she could, pride bursting in her chest with each cheer. "Bubblebeam! Bubblebeam!" she cheered, her pale blue eyes lit up as she gazed at the newly-named warrior. "Yay, Bubblebeam!" As the cheers died down, and cats began to disperse, Honeypaw waited patiently while she watched Bubblebeam speak with her littermate. She slowly approached, standing before her friend shyly as she congratulated her. "Great job, Bubblebeam," she mewed, "and congratulations! It must feel amazing to be the first warrior named in SkyClan's home after the journey." She brushed pelts with her friend, rubbing her cheek along hers as she purred, "I'll miss you in the apprentice's den. It has been really nice training together."
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"I hope that we can meet again one day, you and I," she mewed, "under peaceful skies."
Yewpaw had heard the familiar call - but it wasn't Wolfblossom's voice. He gathered out of curiosity, but felt shy when he realized it was for an apprentice he had never spoken to before. Though, he cheered the best he could - Honeypaw seemed to love her! He looked on in some weird jealousy as they intermingled. He couldn't wait until that was him. Bubblebeam was a cool name, and he could only hope that he'd have one equally as amazing.
Newly home. The camp was repaired to its original form, but it still felt... different. Ploverpaw had contributed by clearing snow. Each morning it returned yet she still kept clearing it. Maybe once this season was over things would feel right again.
The building annoyance in her ears flicked away at the sound of her leader's voice. She turned away from her pile of snow to see Birdstar calling out from the Tallbranch. At least this was familiar. Ploverpaw joined the crowd, taking a spot close to her family. She found relief in feeling the heat from their pelts.
Bubblepaw was called forth, and Ploverpaw just barely held herself from squeaking with excitement. Her sister however seemed... hesitant. Ploverpaw swallowed the initial celebration she held on her tongue and recognized the kind of vow Bubblepaw was facing. Warrior. Nearly every kitten had their path set out before them. A noble warrior. Ploverpaw wanted to defend her clan just as much as any of her clanmates, but when that inherently involved those same clanmates jumping into danger... It didn't feel fair. She wished there was a way to stay safe without risking that safety first.
"I do." Poor Bubblepaw. She did not deserve to have to make a promise she wouldn't want to keep. Ploverpaw looked up to Birdstar's gaze and held her breath. Would she accept Bubblepaw's word? It seemed so. Bubblebeam... Like a ray of sunlight. She loved her sister dearly for the bright heart she carried throughout their friendship. For that same light to continue and prosper into their adulthood, Ploverpaw asked desperately of Starclan.
The apprentice moved in after the quicker ones were done, hoping to let Bubblebeam process this change at her own pace. "Hey Bubble," she trilled softly, "I quite like the new name, it suits you well. Congratulations, Bubblebeam." Ploverpaw held her cheek to the warrior's. She asked in a quieter tone, "How are you feeling?"
