Talonpaw and Dovepaw's Warrior Ceremony

Ashstar leapt onto the Tallrock. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather underneath the Tallrock for a Clan meeting!"

Talonpaw's ears pricked as he walked by Tallrock. He smoothed his fur down as he patiently waited for what was next.

Dovepaw pricked her ears, trotting over to the Tallrock. It was about time, she thought with a sudden thrill, that she and her friends become warriors. The pretty she-cat settled beside the two other toms, tail-tip lashing with excitement and anticipation. This had to be their ceremony; the six moons were up.

Ashstar smiled down at the apprentices. "We gather here today to make two of our apprentices into warriors. Talonpaw and Dovepaw, please step forwards." Once the she-cat did, she continued. "I, Ashstar, leader of WindClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn. Dovepaw, Talonpaw, do you both promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

OOC: what do you want for her name, Apricity?

Talonpaw stepped up as Ashstar called him and his friend, a little taken back. He was doing it! He was actually becoming a warrior! The most crucial step is done, he thought, a smile forming on his lips, Now I just have to persevere and become the best warrior this clan has ever seen. He glanced to his right, his breath getting caught in his throat as he laid his eyes upon Dovepaw. Wow, he thought, her eyes. His own bright blue eyes were nothing compared to hers. He forced himself to look away, a crushing feeling in his chest as he thought of the gray warrior in the crowd below that was surely watching her. His jaw went slack, and he almost missed the words that Ashstar had said next.

"I do," he replied, swallowing hard. I'll tell her tonight. I tell her and be done with it. I can't become leader with this holding me back. It'll kill me. He stole another glance at her before looking away again. Those eyes, he thought, those StarClan-forsaken eyes.

ooc: Dovecry, and if that's not allowed, Dovespirit pls (bc i'm basic)

Unable to conceal the grin that threatened to overtake her face, Dovepaw stepped forward beside Talonpaw, throwing him an excited glance. She caught a smile forming on his muzzle and felt a warm feeling flow throughout her body. Finally, she would become a warrior. 

Maybe this won't be so bad as I thought.

"I…do," she replied a heartbeat after her friend, struggling not to look back to see if Slatethroat was watching her. The thought of his eyes on her sent shivers up her spine, and she glued her eyes to Ashstar's, determined not to let the feeling get the best of her. Her fur was barely groomed, as always, but she managed to pull it off, and lifted her head to watch Windclan's leader, anticipation lacing through her.

ooc) just filling in here for u guys pretend Brindle was here the entire time


After Dovepaw and Talonpaw's verbal confirmation of the sacred promise, Brindlewhisker let out a brief huff of amusement as she caught wind of the excited grin upon Dovepaw's face before she spoke once more. "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you both your Warrior names. Talonpaw, from this moment on, you shall be known as Talonstrike- StarClan honors you for your loyalty and intelligence." The Deputy announced, her gaze trained as the newly named Talonstrike as she spoke, before her gaze flitted over to Dovepaw."Dovepaw, from this moment on, you shall be known as Dovespirit- StarClan honors you for your determination and dedication. We welcome you both as full Warriors of WindClan." Brindlewhisker continued, before leaping down from the Tallrock to rest her muzzle on both Dovespirit and Talonstrike's heads to complete the ceremony.

Talonstrike was still for a moment, feeling the smooth fur of Brindlewhisker's muzzle brush against his head. He was a warrior now. It had been done. Finally. No more Slatethroat. His only duties were to his clan now. He looked over to Dovepaw-Dovespirit, mouthing her name with his own lips. It was a very beautiful name. Talonstrike thought of his own, and how it showcased his precision and strength. Will it always be this? he thought, will I always be Talonstrike from now on? Will it ever change? Can it ever change?

The gray tabby's icy blue eyes blinked as he found himself unable to move anything else. The wind in his gray fur and the sun beating down on his hackles, the tom wanted to be there forever. Standing right here beside Dovespirit under the greenleaf sun. For the longest time, this is what he had wanted. Nonetheless, he still felt like he was still sky-lengths from happiness.

He knew who sat in the crowd, probably beaming with pride at both of them. Or only one of them, the tom thought sourly. The new warrior accepted it now. He hated Slatethroat with everything he had. He had no kinship with the warrior, and never would. They weren't mentor and apprentice anymore. Talonstrike no longer had to hold up the facade.

But for now, Talonstrike couldn't think of Slatethroat. He only thought of this moment. The wind in his fur and the sun beating down on his neck. And the she-cat he had fallen for was by his side. Maybe for the last time.

definitely here the whole time

Spiderfur watched as her daughter ascended to the status of a warrior. She was still worried for her, but Dovespirit had proved herself a skilled cat. The memory of her first child, Palefoot, came to mind. He had been a strong warrior, and had disappeared long ago. She padded forward to brush against the young she-cat. The dust-colored warrior was still concerned for her, but she could defend herself. Her voice came at just a murmur, "I'm proud of you." There was a pause. "Be careful." She would be alright. Hopefully.

The beautiful young she-cat dipped her head as the deputy brushed toward her, thoughts racing. 

Is this what I really want? 

Shaking out her fluffy cream-and-mud fur, the newly named Dovespirit forced another grin, which easily turned to a genuine one. She turned toward her friend, purring. "Nice name," she mewed, nuzzling his cheek in the same show of affection one would show to their littermate. Pride flickered through her, and along with that real, actual happiness at what they had achieved. The feeling of the light of the dying sun sifted through her fur and she blinked slowly, savoring the small moment before she was to turn around, meet her family and mentor and friends. A movement on her flank startled her and she turned to face her mother, smile widening upon her muzzle.

"I'll be fine, Spiderfur," she mewed, giving the older she-cat a comforting lick. Dovespirit was young, and with that came naivety. She couldn't understand why the older she-cat seemed so concerned. Other worries penetrated the edges of her mind and the most she could do was to try to brush them away.

A calming feeling of content settled over the new warrior and she took a deep breath of the tall-grass scented air. Everything'll be alright.

Oh, if only she'd known how wrong she would be.