Honeypaw's Warrior Ceremony

Since Maplewhisker had been rendered unable to perform her duties, Lilacstar had taken it upon herself to watch over Honeypaw's training. And while it had definitely been delayed due to the lack of a real mentor, she had decided that it was finally time for the apprentice to join her former denmates in the warriors den.

Making her way towards the tallrock, the tabby leader called out to her Clanmates. "Let all cats old enough to run the moors gather around for a Clan meeting!"

Honeypaw had been trying for moons to prove herself worthy of a warrior name. Yet at every opportunity, she ended up making more of a blunder than an achievement. Was it because she'd been sired by an outsider? Was it because she was too soft for Clan life? Everything fell into place, doubts cleared from her mind, when she met Nightwind. His perspective had changed everything.

Here she was, ready more than ever for the Clan meeting. Stepping up to the Tallrock with a confident stride, she sat with wide eyes, gazing upon her Clan leader eagerly. What news awaited her today?

A smile crossed her maw as Honeypaw gathered with the rest of the Clan, more eager than usual. It was a pleasant surprise when she realized how the apprentice had changed, becoming a lot more sure of herself. And she honestly believed that that was what had changed in the young cat's training, as she no longer set herself up for failure. "Honeypaw step forward."

With a dip of her head at the spotted cat, she continued. "I call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. She has trained hard to learn the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you a warrior in return. Honeypaw, do you promise to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your own life?"

Much like how a bird learned to fly, Honeypaw had taken wing to new heights. No longer did she merely glance at the sky, wondering when she would soar with the wind. She took herself to it, reveling in the breeze as it whipped past her. Fire was in her blood, now. As Lilacstar called for her, she tried to keep her excitement to a minimum, but her body betrayed her.

Honeypaw kept a solemn silence, listening to the words used for her denmates several times over. Hearing them in regards to herself felt like a dream, although not like the one she shared with Raven. Being a warrior was about pledging loyalty to her Clan, not about her blood. With courage, she nodded. "I would pay it a thousand times over if it meant the Clan was safe, even if for a night."

"Then from this day forward, you will be known as Honeyheart. You have shown great enthusiasm and kindness, and despite your origins, you have proven yourself to have the heart of a true warrior, and WindClan welcomes you as such."

Making her way over to the newly named warrior, Lilacstar rested her muzzle upon her head, murmuring congratulations, before pulling away to begin the chant. "Honeyheart! Honeyheart!"

Nightwind had been watching closer to the back of the crowd. He'd helped train Honeypaw... the second Honeypaw that was not his apprentice. He'd hunted and fought with Honeypaw from Skyclan many moons ago, watched her warrior ceremony and had been the first to congratulate her on her new name, Honeycomb. Not long after, they'd had kits. The name "Honeypaw" still gave him heartache. This warrior ceremony, he hoped, would relieve some of that pain from familiarity. Once Lilacstar finally announced the new warrior's name, Honeyheart, he felt at least some relief.

"Honeyheart! Honeyheart!" he called from the back. He padded toward her and pushed his way though the rest of the clan. He gave her a gentle headbutt on the shoulder. "Congratulations Honeyheart. Maybe we can go hunting later?"

OOC: Mobile post. No color. Short. Hope that's okay!