Hollypaw's Warrior Ceremony

Churned blankets of well-trodden snowfall sprawled across the slumbering territories, besieging the lands with an unshakable sense of grime and lackluster starkness, the muddled mess of worn dampness and frigid earth especially apparent alongside the rivers. Decaying undergrowth and foliage wilted further under the unnecessary strain provided by the weight of snow and frost, leaving nothing but the stark white corpse of the forest lingering in the former presence of lushness. Ears and nose aflame with the scorching brush of one of the first snowfalls of the cruel season that was lingering just beyond their reaches, Jaystar's fine features creased softly as he peered from his newly-raised seat atop the ceremonial willow tree that had been held by so many of his kin. Idling as though he was nothing more than a ghostly outline against the snowy backdrop of the late hour, the newly-christened leader shifted restlessly atop the frost kissed willow branch.

"All cats old enough to catch their own fish, gather beneath the Willow Branch for a Clan meeting!"

Curling closer to her figure, Hollypaw shivered at the cold leaf-bare carried. Snowflakes often slipped through the covers of the apprentice den, waking her up in the middle of the night and leaving her unable to fall asleep again. Perhaps it was from the cold that she found sleeping more troubling lately, even with the other bundles of apprentices gathered inside the den. Kits were becoming apprentices sooner and sooner, and so the den was getting more crowded each day. She heard from the others how Swanmist had a new litter of kits too, though unfortunately, they weren't so.. healthy.

As her ears perked for the clan meeting call, the molly awoke from her nest, stretching before making her way out of the den. She seemed to be the very few first cats that made it to the call and quickly settled down, not wanting to be late for whichever announcements would be made soon. Her eyes glanced around. Could it be another kit coming to apprenticeship age?  As strange as it was, there seemed to be none around.. yet. She blinked, looking up at Jaystar with a sudden realization in her head. Could this be my ceremony instead..?

Smooth jut of the shoulder roiling sharply under the wild mane of his unkempt coat, Jaystar's slow movements atop the weighted perch of the forked tree-limb were liquid and silky, fluent with the seemingly innate grace of a shadow, gentle movements twisting and writhing against the cold backdrop of the evening. Pointed chin lifting in a casual, calloused invitation to all of the curious onlookers currently peering on with mirrored expressions of idle interest, the young molly standing before him had an obvious expression of belated interest, an outcry of carefully concealed emotion simmering low in the curious flick of her roving gaze. Jaystar's discomfort, ever stashed away beneath the usual front of aloof disinterest, felt validated with the realization that many others were just as uncertain with the unfolding events; the promise of a somewhat joyful celebration dwindling down to another secondary stark reminder of how quickly his world had been turned upon its axis.

"Today, we have gathered here to witness the naming of yet another Warrior. Creamfrost has spoken nothing but highly of her apprentice Hollypaw, and has assured me that she is ready for such a transition. Hollypaw, if you believe this to be true, step forward now and your ceremony will commence."

As her name was called out, the molly's ear flicked, and she swiveled them up just enough so that she could hear everything being called out. Eyes were now on her, and she let out a small exhale— now ready for change. She stood, taking a step forward. A small smile crept upon her face, as she figured all the things she's done as an apprentice have finally paid off. Now was just a matter of moments before she'd officially be turned into a warrior. Ebonyhaze's done it, and so has she watched him from the crowd with a smile. That helped encourage her, and she looked up determinedly, ready for Jaystar to speak again.

A slight tremor, soft and gossamer in its silky consistency, gingerly crept the hard length of Jaystar's spine, a fiery pinprick of familiarity and remembrance blossoming low and deep at the ceremonial summons, verging upon identical to the words once spoken to him. Although now, Ivystar was just as much a ghost as Asylum was. Kitefire too. Yet here they stood, somehow proceeding backwards- eldest brother standing before him as though he were nothing more than a wayward fawn, now saddled with the newfound burden of determining name and worth. Countless eyes, shaded unfamiliar and harsh under the reflective gleam hanging heavily in the absence of proper light, quickly drifted into the general direction of which Hollypaw stood, curiosity and faint touches of amusement blatant in the cool stares of the uninvolved. Hard lines awash with the delicate similarities to his disreputable kin, the young dark-furred tom remained motionless for several long heartbeats- carefully assessing the unfolding situation before him, keen gaze fixed upon the younger cat below.

"I call our ancestors to look down upon this Apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your code, and I commend her to you as a Warrior in return. Hollypaw, do you promise to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Hollypaw took in a deep breath. Countless eyes fell upon her; some amused, and some curious. The pressure weighed her down, though nonetheless, she raised her maw in anticipation. A certain someone she wished would watch her amongst the crowd, though it was understandable if they didn't. They were.. busy, of course. Leaf-bare has made it tough for everyone, and she'd willingly offer a helping paw for the clan, soon as a warrior. "I do," She mewed firmly, waiting for Jaystar to continue.

Silky dark edges of wispy fur catching sharply against the wan light of the terse evening, gentle ripples of pale light heavily framed the occasional movements of Jaystar; a familiar mimicry to the dark riverwater flashing under the bright illumination of the pallid moonlight. Hard cut lines of the cheekbone ridging sharply against the delicate curve of his face, the young tom continuously fronted a calloused expression, unwilling to divulge a fractional emotion while in the presence of still faintly unfamiliar faces of his familiar yet also relatively new Clanmates. Navigating the treacherously thin ices of selecting an apt new name was certainly difficult enough without the remembrance of all the strange events that had proceeded these backwards happenings; how things had changed just as much as they had remained the same.

"In that case, I shall grant you your new name. From this day forth, you will be known as Hollyleaf. RiverClan honors your devotion and respectfulness. Tonight, you will hold a silent vigil while the rest of the Clan sleeps. Until then, we celebrate the rise of a new RiverClan warrior." Sending forth a chilly flurry of pestering ice and downy snows, Jaystar was quick to vacate his new perch and instead join the congregation thronging about the newly-named young Warrior.

Ebonyhaze had gently made sure to be in the front of the crowd when Hollypaw's name was announced, squeezing past other bodies to migrate from his usual spot in the back. He wanted to make sure she knew she had his support, and when her new name was announced, his voice joined the others in the chant of her new title. It was going to be nice to have his friend join him in the warrior's den.

"Congratulations, Hollyleaf." He purred happily, his usual soft smile a lot more animated as he absorbed the excitement around him. When he wasn't the one in the limelight, ceremonies had a near infectious ambiance about them. It was hard not to get wrapped up in the enthusiasm. "I'm so happy for you."