Muddypaw's Warrior Ceremony

Sunnyskip had been made a warrior a few sunrises ago, and now, it seemed, it was time for her brother to join her. It was with great joy that her mate expressed his readiness, despite the struggles he was known to have. Of course, he would still be watched, so he does not accidentally harm himself without realizing it, but now he can be watched as an equal among Clanmates.

"All cats old enough to run the moors gather around the Tallrock for a Clan meeting!"

Sunnystep quickly rose from where she had been dozing, shaking out her pelt and joining the gathering crowd. This had to be the day, it simply had to. Her paws kneaded the ground in anxious excitement as she looked around for Muddypaw and Hayglow, moving to sit next to them once she found them in the growing number of her clanmates.

Muddypaw peered up from where he had been dozing off at the sound of Lilacstar's voice. With a tired yawn, he pushed himself upright only to blink at his mother brushed past him. "Oh, hello momma!" he purred, giving her a lopsided smile as he shook his head - trying to wake up fully. "Do you know what this is about?"

Hayglow came to a stop, a small laugh escaping her. She thought it was rather obvious what it was about - he did take his Moonstone journey only a few sunrises ago. "I suppose we will see," she hummed in returned as she padded forward towards the crowd. She let her gaze scan over the cats before she smile at the sight of her other baby - now a warrior in her own right. "Sunnyskip, over here!" she called out to her, waving with a tail as she sat down with Muddyleap taking his spot at her side, still too tired to put much thought into the ceremony at paw.

As Muddypaw's family had gathered to watch the ceremony take place, Lilacstar beckoned the young tom forward with a flick of her tail and a smile.

"I, Lilacstar, leader of WindClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. He has trained hard to learn the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you a warrior in return. Muddypaw, do you promise to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your own life?"

A pause. That was a poor choice of words for this special case.

"Actually, I take that back. Do you promise to try and avoid getting yourself killed? Please?"

Any trace of sleepiness was dispelled the moment Muddypaw spotted Lilacstar motioning for him to step forward - made even clearer when Hayglow bumped her shoulder into him to help get his paws in motion. He was...He was going to be a warrior? The feeling was almost numb as he stumbled forward into place - having doubts he would get this far. His inability to feel pain made the world extra dangerous, there was no denying that he would be treated like a kit in some situations. Of course, he had a feeling if more cats knew about his inability to smell - this would be a different story but if he could prove himself as a warrior before that secret slipped through...Maybe he could...!

He blinked as he realized Lilacstar was continuing on, going through the words that was normal for the ceremony before she paused and rescinded the 'at the cost of your own life' part. He twitched an ear with a frown but there was a hint of amusement behind it. He...Knew he was a special case. He was different but...Well, maybe he could make the most of it. Already the temptation to throw himself in front of claws to spare his Clanmates feeling any pain was there but...He did suppose he could at least promise not to try to get himself killed. "I do," he meowed. After all, if he got himself killed...How was he suppose to enjoy life alongside his sister and mother?

Her whiskers twitched with amusement as Lilacstar watched Muddypaw fumble about, trying to get himself organized for the moment before making his vow. While his circumstances were certainly questionable at best, the care he felt for his Clanmates was undisputed. And that was what Lilacstar admired the most, and what made her certain that this tom deserved the rank of a warrior among his peers.

"Then with the approval of my Clanmates, I name you Muddyleap. With every leap you make across these moors, you have shown yourself to be energetic, and to have pride in what you do and the ones you care for, and we welcome you as a full warrior of WindClan."

Padding over to the newly named warrior, she rested her muzzle on his forehead before drawing back, beginning the chant every new warrior earns. "Muddyleap! Muddyleap!"

Hayglow beckoned to her, and Sunnyskip quickly made her way over to her brother and mother. Greeting Muddypaw with a swift head butt to his shoulder and Hayglow with a flick of her tail to her shoulder, she smiled brightly at both of them. Settling down next to Muddypaw, she looked to Lilacstar as she began the meeting. Her hopes were confirmed when she looked to Muddypaw, and called him forward. Muddypaw stepped forward, and she shuffled in closer to Hayglow while she waited to hear what he brother's name would be. The words were a bit different, she didn't recall being asked the same thing, but her brother was special to her. Not just because he couldn't feel pain, she adored him and knew he was special because of who he was. Finally the time came, and he received the name Muddyleap. Jumping to her paws as their Clanmates began to call out his new name, Sunnyskip yowled it as loud as she could. "Muddyleap! Muddyleap! Muddyleap!"

It wasn't too long after Sunnyskip had her warrior ceremony when Muddy was having his. As with Sunny's, Silver was vibrating with glee and anticipation. Both his half-siblings certainly earned their names with all the hard work and dedication they put into their training. He hoped to follow in their pawsteps soon and join them but he wasn't sure if that'll be soon. His training was going well but he still had quite a bit to learn before he'd be ready for warriorhood. Maybe both Sunny and Muddy would help him train now that they're warriors? Now that's a cool thought!

As the apprentice watched the ceremony go on, he couldn't help but scan the crowd. He spotted many familiar faces and some that he had yet to really get to know. He probably should strike up a nice conversation with them at some point. It was something he liked and wanted to do. He was a very social tom and enjoyed earning some new friends. Maybe Muddy and Sunny knew them better and could introduce them to him? He could probably ask them later. Now, though, it was finally time to hear Muddy's warrior name.

Silverpaw's claws raked at the ground as he impatiently waited for the ceremony to come to a close. It didn't take long, though. Just a few moments later, his mother was about to end it. The gray apprentice blew out the breath he'd been holding in and cheered loudly when Muddy's name was finally revealed. He liked it very much! Just like Sunnyskip, Muddyleap suited the tom rather well. It also kinda matched Sunnyskip. As the last time, Silverpaw wasted no time and hurried over to the newly-named warrior's side.

"Congrats on getting your warrior name, Muddyleap! Ya definitely earned it! It also kinda matches your sister's. They're both so cool! I hope that when I get my name, it'll suit me good, like yours does. Now that you both are warriors, could ya teach me some battle moves? I ain't too good at 'em yet but I really want some tips to get better." Silverpaw playfully nudged the older tom's shoulder and then began to walk away. He soon joined the clan in chanting Muddy's warrior name.