Flowerpaw's Warrior Ceremony

He couldn't believe he was doing this, Foxfire dimly thought to himself as he scrambled onto the Highbranch, turning his gaze onto the clearing. It wasn't suppose to be his duty to do warrior ceremonies but Spottedstar had been feeling ill - enough to pass the responsibility on him. He had froze when Spottedstar had revealed who the ceremony was for, slowly coming to accept it as they tossed warrior names about...It was time for Flowerpaw to finally become a warrior and there was a pit in his stomach. He...He felt terrible, he had gotten so distracted and had let a distance grow between the two of them. But perhaps... Perhaps he could change that soon. "Let all cats old enough to climb trees gathering beneath the Tallbranch for a Clan meeting!"

Flowerpaw froze mid eating at Foxfire's call. Probably another apprentice ceremony.. She assumed, seeing how the deputy was up on the Tall Branch. She took her time eating the bite that was in her mouth before she pushed the bird away from her a bit. She padded closer remaining at the back of the gathering crowd. It didn't matter what was happening. She was going to stay an apprentice no matter what. They forgot about her so in the end it didn't matter to her one bit.

Foxfire's expression perked at the sight of Flowerpaw, guilt flaring in his stomach at how disappointed she looked. Of course she didn't know what was coming, he shouldn't be the one doing it but...Maybe. Maybe this was the first step to reconnecting with her, to fixing what time had strained. "We gather here today to give one of our apprentices their Warrior name and rank," he explained, hoping that the Clan wouldn't mind him taking on this responsibility - it was his duty but it still felt...Wrong to stand up here. "She has proven himself worthy to climb the ranks of SkyClan and receive her Warrior name," he said, before taking in a deep breath as he let his gaze find Flowerpaw as she stuck to the back of the crowd.

"Flowerpaw, please step forward," he called out, smiling softly.

He waited the heartbeats to let her find her way through the crowd, to take her spot beneath the Highbranch as he silently ran the words of the ceremony through his head. He had heard them a couple times, he had even ran through them with Spottedstar to make sure that he wouldn't mess up as he continued. "I, Foxfire, deputy of SkyClan, call upon my 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 his turn. Flowerpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?" ...Not that he had any doubts. He had seen her face down Thornstar in a move to protect him - he already knew what her answer to be and waited with a smile for her to tell him.

Her? Was he sure? Maybe Spottedstar wasn't doing it because he didn't like her and didn't want to bother with her. Maybe he made Foxfire do it because someone had too, and the leader didn't want to bother with her at all. She didn't believe this was actually for her. Honestly she was expect to step to the front of the crowd and have the deputy laugh and then send her back while he called for someone else.

But it was real. A moment after she sat down the tom began speaking the words of the warrior ceremony she heard for so many others before. She didn't know what to think. She didn't know how to react or what emotion to feel. All she could do was answer flatly as she tried to sort through her emotions. "I do." It was flat and monotone, but it was better than not answering at all. Hopefully they knew she meant those words.

A strong purr escaped the deputy as she meowed, nodding his head in approval. "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Flowerpaw, from this day forward you shall be known as Flowerthorn." It had been a name that he and Spottedstar had discussed immensely, throwing many different around but upon thinking of how Flowerpaw had proved herself in striking Thornstar in order to protect him...Well, it seemed important to give her a name that praised her actions and acknowledged that she was more than her 'soft' name. "SkyClan honors your bravery and loyalty. Congratulations," he meowed as he climbed down the tree, quickly padding over to greet his friend. "We - Me, Spottedstar, everybody- are proud of you, Flowerthorn," he meowed softly, before his expression softening for a few heartbeats. "And...I'm sorry. For...Not being a good friend. You deserve better than that - of how I treated you. And...For that, I am sorry."

Flowerpaw... no Flowerthorn now.. A constant reminder of striking Thornstar in a defense of the deputy that forgot about her. Well.. Maybe not anymore. The pale she-cat clenched her teeth as the tom spoke to her on the ground. Biting back any harsh words. She didn't want to accept his apology just yet.. Sorry after all this time wasn't going to cut it.. He had to prove to her that he actually wanted to be friends with her again. As much as she wanted to accept it then and there she knew it would be better in the long run if she didn't. At least not yet.

She just nodded to him. Her eyes still ever dull. She waited for the cheering to die down before she moved away from the crowd and Foxfire. Returning to her food, wanting to finish it before she had to start her vigil.