Orchidpaw's Warrior Ceremony

Bloodstar left the leader's den and scaled the tree to Tallbranch. If he'd inwardly complained about it before, he'd done it hundreds of times. Leaf-fall was uncomfortably wet and cold and he wanted it to be over with. The rain last night hadn't been too heavy, but it left the camp soaked and colder than usual. Regardless, there was a ceremony that he needed to get to today. "Let all cats old enough to climb a tree gather beneath the Tallbranch for a clan meeting!" He sat down on the Tallbranch and watched for Orchidpaw to appear. It was high time that a lot of these apprentices became warriors.

Orchidpaw heard Bloodstar's call from across camp, placing down one of the fallen branches the warriors had gathered to help build the security barrier.  Realizing what this could be, she quickly started grooming her long pelt free of all the bark scraps, leaf litter, and dirt that had accumulated over the day.  She had returned from her Moonstone journey only a couple of sunrises ago, this could very well be her ceremony.  If so she wanted to look her best, not for vanity's sake but just to appear proper and responsible.  Deep down though, she couldn't help feeling the thrill of anticipation ripple throughout her body.  I've been waiting for this day for a long time...if this is really it, this is when my life truly begins.  Taking a seat close to the front of the crowd, the large colorpoint she-cat gazed up at Bloodstar with calm eyes, carefully hiding the excitement that threatened to show itself.

Dawnfeather shook out her coat for perhaps the tenth time yet this morning. The rain had leaked through the roof of the warrior’s den just above her head. The sun seemed reluctant to dry her fur- what had she done? Was it mad at her? She hoped not- she liked the sun.

At her former mentor’s call, she loped over, sitting next to Olive’s sister Orchidpaw. She seemed kinda down… or maybe just calm. “Hiya!” She chirped, settling herself, wrapping her tail around her paws. She really wished she could be out tree-flying right now… but she wasn’t allowed to go out alone. Maybe Orchidpaw liked to climb?

“Do you like to climb?” Dawnfeather queried suddenly, tilting her head to the side in an endearingly bird-like manner. She wasn’t as tall and muscular as Olive yet… or maybe she just had more to grow. Olive was too tall and heavy to tree-fly, Smokema, Prima, Muddy, and Beechaunt couldn’t for obvious reasons. Dandelion didn’t really like to, and Beetle and Hollowpaw weren’t quite that good at it. Maybe… maybe Orchid would like t- she cut her own train of thought off, gently tapping the ground with her tail.

Bloodstar quietly chuckled at Dawnfeather. An adult, but still so innocent. Hopefully nothing would happen in Skyclan that would ruin that for her, as it had for Primroselight. "We gather here today to witness an apprentice earn their warrior name. Orchidpaw, come forward. I, Bloodstar, 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. Orchidpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"

The words had been spoken, now he just needed her agreement.

Orchidpaw jumped a bit at the sudden sound of Dawnfeather's voice very close to her ear, turning to gaze at the pale ginger colorpoint through mildly annoyed icy eyes.  She was kind of impressed though, the warrior's approach had been almost completely silent.  A good hunter I would guess, she steps lightly.  "Uh, hello Dawnfeather."  She expected that to be the end of the conversation so she turned back to focus on Bloodstar, but once more the she-cat's voice rang out and Orchidpaw forced herself to look neutral to hide her frustration.  Can't she see that I'm trying to pay attention?  "Climbing?"  Oh, what was the right answer here, she was a SkyClan cat they're supposed to like climbing trees...  "Umm, I guess? I could use some more practice though."

It was with a sigh of relief that Orchidpaw's name was called, and she stepped forward out of the crowd with a serious expression trained onto her face.  Her hunch had been right, now was the time to make a first impression as a warrior.  Standing straight and stiff at the base of Tallbranch's tree, she gazed up at her leader as he said the ceremonial phrases, and when he finally came to her part of the agreement she took a deep breath and made eye contact with the dark-striped tom.

"I do."

It was a grave oath, but one she was ready to uphold for the rest of her days, no matter what.  For her family, for their safety, she would fight countless battles and obey every order.  She would be the quintessential example of a good SkyClan warrior, and that was a promise.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name... Orchidmask, SkyClan honors your dedication and loyalty." And with that, a new warrior joined Skyclan's ranks.

Mobile post at work, sorry for the shortness!

“Yes!” Dawnfeather purred excitedly. “We should definitely go climbing together!” Then Bloodstrike began to talk, and Dawnfeather clamped her jaws shut with a sheepish look. Orchidpaw was becoming a warrior? Yay! The young warrior could barely sit still, already filled to the brim with enthusiastic congratulations.

“Great job, Orchidpaw- Orchidmask!” She cheered as soon as Bloodstrike had finished. ”It fits you well.” She tilted her head slightly, studying the other she-cat intently for a moment. It really did. She did have the “mask” pattern on her face, yes, but what’s more was that she was calm, cool, collected, and seemed to have a bit of a mask covering her heart, too.

Or maybe Dawnfeather was overreacting a bit.

She joined her voice with the others chanting the young warrior’s name. Orchidmask… it flowed off her tongue like a smooth river, rarity and beauty in one. She should definitely talk to Bloodstrike about how he chose names. He was pretty good at it- maybe she could find out how he did it?

Orchidmask...  She felt the new name out on her tongue and found that she liked the way it flowed, as well as what it represented.  Some may think that she was hiding behind a false mask of herself...but this was it.  This was her personality, her life, and she was proud to live it.  The traits Bloodstar chose to highlight made her even prouder, and it proved to her that her efforts were not in vain.  I will be dedicated and loyal until the end, that is what I swore and what I have chosen.  Showing a rare smile to Bloodstar and the crowd as they cheered for her, she nodded and meowed a quick "Thank you" to Dawnfeather.