Foxfire's Elder Ceremony

Beechface strode towards Wolfstar's den, making the leap to the top easily. She'd spoken to the leader about a warrior's request, and it was only right that that request be honored after moons of service to the clan. And... He deserved the rest, after everything.

"Let all cats old enough to climb a tree gather before me for a clan meeting!" Her yowl rang across the camp, and it wasn't long until cats started to gather, though she looked for one cat on particular today.

Foxfire sat at the entrance of the warrior's den, eyes focused on the nest that he had shared with Flowerthorn for so long. He...He swallowed, ears slicking back as he thought about the heavy process of moving it. He...He would have to move it, wouldn't he? It...It still smelled like her, barely. It was all he had left to... His thoughts were interrupted at the sound of a voice - Beechface calling the Clan together. He...Had a feeling of what this was for. With heavy paws, he padded forward to take a seat as he waited with perked ears to see if his suspicious was correct.

It didn't take long for Foxfire to appear, and Beechface noted how worn the senior warrior looked recently. He'd lost more than many cats had recently, and Beechface offered the tom a tight smile.

"Foxfire, is it your wish to give up the name of a warrior and go to join the elders?"

As his name was called, a tired sigh escaped the warrior. So...It was. His elder ceremony. Perhaps, deep down...Part of Foxfire wished that his request - his statement - had been a heat of the moment thing. That he had simply felt tired after his...Meltdown, and it seemed like the easiest thing to say. But in the sunrises after, as the Clan struggled to find a new normal... He found his stance hadn't changed. He was tired, he didn't know how - he didn't want - to be a warrior without Flowerthorn at his side. In everything, she had been a source of strength. A cat he could lean on and know that she would have his back.

And now she was gone and he hadn't even gotten to say goodbye.

He had always hating fighting - he had lost both of his ear tips, he was covered in scars. He hadn't even been in that many fights and yet... The world had proven how sharp its claws were so quickly. He had tried being deputy but had given up when he knew he couldn't fit the role anymore. And now, he was seeing the same signs in his warrior duty. Already, he had been nothing but a burden when Flowerthorn had been taken away - when his remaining kits seemed to follow so quickly after her... Perhaps this was for the better - if anything, it just made it clear of how much of a burden... He closed his eyes, sucking in a sharp breath. No, he...He had to be better. He had to think better. He... He wasn't about to change his choice but he had...He had done enough for the Clan, hadn't he? Maybe this was for the better. For the Clan - for him. He could...

He could finally rest.

He opened up his eyes, raising his gaze to meet Beechface's.

"It is."

When Foxfire had originally made the request, Beechface had gently told him to think it over. Recovering from his broken paw, it seemed he had. He'd more than earned it after seasons of being a dedicated warrior. With all of the recent losses, he deserved the rest. He'd done enough for the clan.

"Your Clan honors you and all the service you have given to us. I call upon Starclan to give you many moons of rest." Finishing the ceremony, Beechface jumped from the rock, giving the clans newest elder a tired nod.