Hailpaw's Warrior Ceremony

Like most mornings, Bloodstar woke to nothing but cold and snow. He stepped outside, even giving a few of the piles of snow a big smack with his claws as if that was going to change anything. He couldn't physically fight leaf-bare or he would. He'd sic his entire clan onto it and banish it from the forest. He leaped up onto the Tallbranch and took a moment to calm himself. Maybe one day there would be a morning where he didn't wake up cursing Starclan for allowing leaf-bare to exist but this morning was not that morning.

"Let all cats old enough to climb a tree gather beneath the Tallbranch for a clan meeting!"

Crickethop trotted over at the sound of the leader's call. Admittedly there was less pep in his step than there had been before leafbare had tore viciously through the forest. He knew hunger now, and it wasn't a pleasant feeling. Regardless, the young warrior kept going. Enthusiasm had yet to be crushed by this crippling cold. As he settled back onto his haunches, the tom glanced up at the leader with his head slightly tilted. Would this be a ceremony? Or was there something else going on?

Hailpaw had been busy grooming his pelt when Bloodstar's call caught his ears. What was this? Probably a ceremony, though his mind couldn't find anyone it could be for. The nursery was close to empty and none seemed old enough to become apprentices... OH! Was it for him?! He was definitely old enough and he was doing really well in his training.

The white cat stood and joined others to sit beneith tallbranch, his foggy gaze trying to find anything in the older tom's expression which might give the lucky cat away. He didn't garner much luck though, Bloodstar just far enough away that their features were more of a black blob than a face. Hailpaw's ears flicked, impatient to know if this meeting was about him.

Once the clan had gathered, Bloodstar motioned for Hailpaw to come forward. What an odd one this one turned out to be, but he had earned his warrior name. That was all that mattered.

"Hailpaw step forward. It is time for you to become a warrior. I, Bloodstar, call upon our warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn. Hailpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?"

A purr erupted from his throat as Bloodstar called his name. It was his ceremony! He wondered what his name could be. Hopefully something pretty, like Haildazzle. Well, ok, that was a bit too on the nose. He was handsome, cats could see that, he didn't need to be named after it as well. Maybe just a name that sounded pretty? There were so many options!

He took a step forward, glowing with pride and excitement as he absorbed the attention like a sponge. "I do." Hailpaw kept his eyes on Bloodstar, fighting against the urge to glance back at the crowd behind him.

"Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior name, Hailfall. Skyclan honors your Charisma and Insight." Bloodstar leaped off of the Tallbranch and rested his chin on Hailfall's head. "Congratulations. I chose that name because I had a friend named Redfall. He's gone now... but I thought you'd carry it nicely." He backed off from the new warrior and allowed the rest of the clan to congratulate Hailfall on his new name.

"Hailfall! Hailfall!" Beechfang's voice joined the rest of her clanmates' from the crowd, congratulating Skyclan's newest warrior. There were a few redtailed hawk feathers carefully placed in her fur, charisma and insight were truly fitting if Hailfall had gotten her to continue wearing them. Hailfall had proven he was a good cat as far as Beechfang could tell, and she was sure Primroselight was proud to have another apprentice earn their name.

"Congratulations, Hailfall." She smiled, stepping forward. "The name suits you."

Hailfall~

It rolled off the tongue nicely. Not to mention he was carrying the legacy of Bloodstar's friend! He didn't know Redfall, they must have passed before his birth, but it was still an honor to carry their name. If Bloodstar thought he was worthy enough to do so, he wasn't going to prove him wrong. "I'll try to do them justice." He vowed, bowing his head respectfully before he allowed himself to turn to the cats calling his name.

The first figure his gaze landed on was a familiar silver shape, his face instantly brightening when he noticed beautiful orangy-red feathers decorating her fur. He had to bite his tongue to keep from screaming. She continued! And the color still looked stunning on her. "Thank you! It fits me just as well as those feathers fit you!"

"Hailfall! Hailfall! Hailfall!" Crickethop yowled at the top of his lungs with a broad grin plastered across his maw. A friend was going to come join him in the warrior's den! They could have nest near each other, patrol more frequently, share tongues before falling asleep. The idea of it all was thrilling. He turned to his companions and new denmate to offer and more individual greeting, "You're already the best warrior, Hailfall! I can help you make a nest tonight. This is going to be great." His head lowered to butt affectionately into the tom's shoulder. As he pulled back, he smiled at Beechfang as well. Despite this frigid season, at least he still had his kin and friends around him - it seemed to help suppress the hunger in a way.

Primroselight had trained many apprentices, officially and unofficially, but there was nothing quite like watching one of her own earn their warrior name. Graybird's warriorhood had been cut far too short, but here Hailfall stood, proud as ever with his new name. "Hailfall! Hailfall! Hailfall!" She cheered at the top of her lungs. When he neared her, she nodded her head in acknowledgement. "Where your new name with pride, you've most certainly earned it."