Ashpaw's Warrior Ceremony

Dayspring wasn't used to holding warrior ceremonies, and she wasn't the biggest fan of being the one to conduct them since they made her feel old. It felt like it had barely even been a day since she had been the one standing under the Tallrock to receive her warrior name. Despite that, it was always fascinating to her to see a cat's journey from kithood to warriorhood, especially since she had been the one to hold Ashpaw's apprentice ceremony. Knowing that she and her littermates would soon be in the warriors den was slightly surprising to Dayspring. Now, all the deputy could do was silently pray to StarClan that she wouldn't forget the ceremonial words when it was time to give the apprentice her official warrior name.
“May all cats old enough to run the moor gather beneath the Tallrock for a Clan meeting!" She called out once she had taken her spot on top of the rock.

Ashpaw padded from the place she had been laying, alone with her thoughts. Too much had happened with Dawnhawk lately, she just wished everything would go back to the way it was, when she could at least trust her father. Yet it couldn't, and she had accepted that to an extent. When she heard Dayspring's call, she had not wasted any time before finding a spot and sitting in it, curling her tail tight to her paws. Staring up at Dayspring emotionlessly, she vaguely wondered what would be announced this time.

Once Ashpaw had arrived, Dayspring instantly began the ceremony. There was no time to waste, after all.

"Ashpaw, please step forward." The deputy instructed, keeping eye contact with the young she-cat.
Dayspring began to recite the ceremonial words with a smile on her maw once the apprentice had complied.
“I, Dayspring of WindClan, ask my fellow Clanmates to look upon this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of our code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in return. Ashpaw, do you promise to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?”

Ashpaw's tail-tip twitched in surprise when she discovered that this ceremony was to be her warrior ceremony. Of course, she knew she would be a warrior soon, her mind just had been in overdrive as of late and it must have slipped it. Regardless, it was here now, and it was time to do her part for her clan. With a few long strides, Ashpaw stepped forward through the crowd of her clan, keeping her gaze singularly on Dayspring. With cold determination in her voice, she simply said, "I do." Ashpaw opted to not look at anyone, not Sunnyskip, not Ryepaw, and certainly not Dawnhawk, it was just her, and her will to become a warrior. She was ready.

The deputy gave Ashpaw a nod of satisfaction before continuing. Despite not knowing the she-cat personally, Dayspring held immense pride for both the soon-to-be warrior and the entirety of WindClan for preparing such strong apprentices to climb the ranks once again.
"Then from this moment on, you will be known as Ashfall. StarClan and WindClan alike recognize your sensibility and diligent nature, and I am honored to welcome you as a full warrior of WindClan."

With that, she leaped down from her spot on the Tallrock and joined her Clanmates as the congratulated the Clan's latest warrior on her new name.
"Ashfall! Ashfall!"

Dawnhawk had been at the back of the crowd, unsure if he was even welcome here. Maybe Ashpaw didn't want him to be present, but since she never explicitly told him that, he showed up anyway. He watched the ceremony until it concluded, and the act that Ashpaw didn't look at anyone made him wonder what was going through her head. Dayspring began to chant, along with the rest of the clan. Dawnhawk opened his mouth to chant too, but hesitated. Being Nightwind was a lot easier than being Dawnhawk. Nightwind was well liked and loved by all. Dawnhawk was despised... probably even feared. Instead of chanting for fear of catching a harsh glare rom his daughter, the pale tom simply nodded, forcing a proud smile to hide his uncertainty, and then turned and walked away. If Ashfall wanted to speak to him later, she would find him. If not, then he was willing to give her her space. He sighed as he walked out of camp, his eyes on the ground and his tail low.

Silverpaw had been watching his niece's warrior ceremony with... mixed feelings. Nothing too negative, of course! He was very proud of her and how far she'd come in her life. She was his kin and he could never not be proud of Sunny's kits. He loved them very much and will always be ready to support them if they need it. However, after... recent events... things had gone tense and a bit sour in the clan. Things were a mess and quite awkward. Deceiving your clanmates did that to the atmosphere.

He would be lying if he wasn't feeling some sort of pity and sadness for Dawnhawk. Seeing the warrior's lonely figure far from the crowd in his peripheral vision didn't help quench those feelings. He hadn't been the most trustworthy or innocent of cats for most of his life, not at all. However, it seemed like he wanted to turn his life around and better himself... somewhat... Honestly, Silverpaw had more than a sliver of doubt that Dawnhawk would actually change. In true Lilacstar fashion, however, he was going to give the tom another... chance. This time, however, he was going to pay much closer attention at his behavior. No longer was he going to allow himself to be foolishly blinded and lied to. The moment he sees an inch of any more untruth is the moment Dawnhawk loses his support. The story that Nightwind had told him during their little patrol was still fresh in his mind and now that he thought more about it, Dawnhawk hadn't fabricated the whole thing. He'd been careful to leave out what could've easily gotten him caught but the bare bones of his actual backstory had been there.

Quickly shaking away his thoughts, he focused back on the ceremony. As soon as he did, Ashpaw received her warrior name. Ashfall. It suited her. A fond smile made it's way onto his face as the rest of the clan chanted. He got up from his spot and slowly made his way over to her. It was clear that she didn't want to look at anyone, especially her family. That wasn't going to stop him from giving her the congratulations she deserved. Her ceremony was supposed to be a special day but too much had happened recently to really be feeling this day. He fully appreciated Daysprings efforts in trying to spread the enthusiasm for Ashfall.

"Ashfall! Congratulations on receiving your warrior name! I'm proud of you. You definitely deserve it after all the work you've put into your training." He softly nudged her shoulder with his, an attempt to try and gain her attention. He wasn't sure it was fully working but at least he was trying. He was about to leave when he decided to say something more, "Hey... Ashfall? I hope you know you can talk to me if you need to. I won't force you but the offer is there. You don't have to talk to me specifically! Just... Just don't keep anything in your chest. It won't do you any good. I care about you more than you realize." With that, he finally took his leave.

Sunnyskip had settled near the edge of the gathered cats, watching Dayspring lazily. When she called her daughter's name though, her ears perked and she leaned forward, suddenly invested in the ceremony at paw. Ashpaw stepped forward with deliberate, strong strides, and out of the corner of her eye she could see Dawnhawk. Should she sit with him?... Ashpaw was still their daughter, after all.... She wasn't able to gather the courage to move before Dayspring continued, so she remained where she was, eyes bright and teary with pride as her daughter received her warrior name. Ashfall... A stunning name, just like her daughter. She took note of the way that the newly named warrior didn't turn to search for anyone, but refused to let that sting. This was her day, and she would support her however she needed. Raising her voice to the stars, she chanted her daughter's name with the rest of the clan, hoping that perhaps she would approach her... If not, she would reach out to her later, when she had gotten some rest.