Ravenpaw's Warrior Ceremony

"Let all SkyClan cats old enough to climb a tree gather before me for a clan meeting!" Wolfstar yowled. By now, he knew the distinction wasn't necessary. The Asylum cats knew they weren't wanted here, and despite SkyClan's lack of retaliation since the leader's return, it was clear that the assimilation they desired, and the tense, passive-aggressive peace they got, were two very different beasts. Most of the Asylum cats had become disinterested in the ceremonies by now. Once they were some new novelty, but now they were just habit, especially with so many happening so close together. Wolfstar sat back on his haunches and waited for his clan to gather.

Ravenpaw sauntered toward the front of the crowd, knowing this was likely her time. She was going to become a warrior! It was about time, honestly. She had been ready to fight tooth and claw for her clan since the day she was born. She looked up at Wolfstar, then down to make sure her fur was looking as perfect as it could be. There couldn’t be a single lick of fur out of place when she was going to be the newest warrior of the clan.

"You look fine don't worry." Wrenspring purred as he padded over. Today his apprentice was going to receive her warrior name. This was a special honor that not even the invading oppressors could dim. She would be declared a warrior before Starclan, even if the onlookers disdained such practices. Thankfully, most of the Asylum cats were resigned to a silent watch. He smiled at Ravenpaw before his tail begun to flicker at the memory of her occasionally over affectionate nature. Hopefully his words hadn't been too kind or make her think something else. The tom's ears heated at the thought. This was such a strange predicament for the warrior and it was his friend's kit, there would never be anything between them and he hoped that she understood that, even if he couldn't bring himself to say something.

ooc; Oof get friendzoned

Wolfstar spoke again, "Ravenpaw, please step forward." It seemed she already knew this was for her, judging by the dark apprentice's attitude. He smiled at her. "I, Wolfstar, leader of SkyClan, call upon our warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn. Ravenpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"

She was perfectly fine, and more than ready, but it was nice to hear Wrenspring's warm words of encouragement. She smiled at him, brimming with what she realized were stronger feelings than just those between a mentor and his apprentice. There certainly wouldn't be any problems now that she was going to be a warrior. Certainly not.

"I do," Ravenpaw mewed, standing back up straight and puffing her chest out. She looked Wolfstar right in the eyes, trying to show just how ready she was to give her all to her clan. Hopefully all of the Asylum cats were watching and realized they should know better than to mess with her.

Wolfstar had expected no different of his granddaughter, but the way that she confirmed it, her stance and certainty, made him happier than he could have imagined. SkyClan would stand strong against this adversity, especially with determined warriors like the ones they were raising.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name: Ravenclaw, SkyClan honors your loyalty and tenacity!" His eyes slid to Wrenspring, and he nodded an approval at the warrior before slipping down to touch his nose to Ravenclaw's. "Congratulations,"

Hearing Wolfstar's call, Smokefeather made her way towards the gathering cats, settling beside Beechface. It wasn't hard to figure out the reason for the summons, and Smokefeather grinned as Ravenpaw was called forward to receive her warrior name.

"Ravenclaw! Ravenclaw!" Smokefeather and Beechface's voices quickly joined those of their clanmates in congratulating the newest Skyclan warrior as Wolfstar finished the ceremony. As the chants died down a bit, Smokefeather padded forward, affectionately rubbing her cheek against Ravenclaw's shoulder.

"I'm proud of you, Ravenclaw." She purred quietly, "Your father would be, too." She added, softer.

"Congratulations, sister!" Beechface grinned as she stepped up beside her mother, fluffy tail laid across her younger sister's back.

Jasminekit watched with growing curiosity from the nursery. It seemed this was important. As two older she-cats of SkyClan, the medicine cat and her mother, if she remembered correctly, began to chant the new name of the cat in the center, Jasminekit figured it would be rude not to join in.

"Ravenclaw? Ravenclaw!"

It had happened: she was a warrior. Ravenclaw was positively beaming, soaking in the praise and the cheers from her clanmates. Her mother and sister came to personally congratulate her, and she was more than happy to let them. "Thank you!" she mewed happily, giving them both a nuzzle in turn. Her smile faltered a little, thinking about her father, but she couldn't be kept down for long. After all, she was a warrior now, and she could enact vengeance for what had happened to the clan, and her family. Just they wait!

"Ravenclaw! Ravenclaw!" It was a surreal sensation, watching one of his apprentices graduate into warriorhood. A broad smile crossed his maw as previous hesitations disappeared. Ravenclaw more than deserved the name and the honor that came with being a warrior of Skyclan. He knew that she would do well in whatever was required her. Admittedly, the thought of fighting in battles against there enemies had been a fleeting thought. Wounds from border skirmishes were a mere memory. As much as he hated the overwhelming presence of Asylum, and the idea of losing his identity in Skyclan was unappealing, it was easy to admit they weren't doing bad on the cats whose territory they occupied. For now, his apprentice would be safe but either way he knew she could hold her own in battle. He allowed himself a moment free of the inhibitions that had clouded his mind.