First Elder Ceremony!

Stormstar frowned as he jumped onto the Highrock. He had spoken with Duststorm, and it was a shame that the warrior wanted to retire to the Elder's den. The morning air was cold, snow and frost sat on the freezing ground. He yowled to call the Clan together.

Duststorm had been resting uneasily in front of the warriors den. He did not want to give up being a warrior, but something told him that he probably ought to before his limbs gave out. When he saw Stormstar climb onto Highrock, the older tabby tom pushed himself to his paws slowly, and then padded over to sit with his clan.

Raccoonheart padded out of the nursery. She looked back at the nursery. She hoped the kits would stay asleep, or at least stay in the nursery this cold morning. She stepped into the snow her paws sinking as she did so. She gave a shiver before continuing on, and sitting in her usual spot in front of the rock.

Stormstar eyes flickered around the clearing at the gathered cats below him, the fur on his back rising from the cold air that bit at his fur. "I have gathered you all here to witness an warrior enter the elder's den." His yellow gaze landed on Duststorm as he called out the warrior's name. "Duststorm, please step forward."

Falconfang moved from the warrior's den to the clearing, unsure of what was going on. It isn't time for an apprentice ceremony, is it? So the young warrior was quite taken by surprise when Stormstar announced that it was an elder ceremony for Duststorm. An elder? Duststorm was becoming an elder?! It couldn't be true, but it was as clear as day right in front of him: his former mentor was retiring. A wave of emotions washed over the brown-furred tom, and it wasn't even his ceremony. When he looked at Duststorm, he could still see the strong, proud tom as he was when he had been training Falconfang as an apprentice. At least he would still be there, but it didn't feel right... it was like the passage of time was stealing him away, and Falconfang still hadn't gathered up the courage to talk to him about what had been gnawing at him for moons.

OoC: With a post like that, you'd think it was all about me /shot

Icepaw had totally been there the whole time, silently wondering the cause of this sudden eldershipnessthingidon'tknow. Realizing now, she had never talked to the old tom. Well, at least she would be seeing him more. Old kitties and their problems. The she-cat just sat near her den in silence, wanting to show a little respect to Duststorm.

Duststorm crept up to High rock, keeping his head facing forward. He felt the eyes of the clan on him, and it made him anxious.

Stormstar kept his eyes locked on Duststorm, before clearing his throat to speak. "Duststorm, is it your wish to give up the name of a warrior and go to join the elders?"

There was a flicker of hesitation in Duststorm's eyes. He blinked, swallowed, and suddenly felt a great calm settle over him. With a sad smile, he answered, "It is."

Stormstar sighed sadly, somewhat wishing that Duststorm would have said no, but it was the tom's choice if he remained to be an warrior or not, not Stormstar's. "Your Clan honors you and all the service you have given to us. I call upon StarClan to give you many moons of rest."

OOC: So sorry about the wait, totally forgot about this...

OoC: I'm not sure what the proper response is so sorry if this doesn't come out right alsdjagdf

Duststorm dipped his head and murmured, "Thank you."