Darkpaw's Warrior Ceremony

Thick rivulets of silky snow curled downwards from the bleak late evening sky, rich ribbons of irrefutable cleanliness that bleached the sad and somber winter riverlands; sprawling blankets of alabaster heaped on further by the perpetually lingering dusting of snow, disrupted only by the occasional tracking of muddied ice and churned sands. The stifling stillness of the dwindling grey light was interrupted only by the insistent, yet terribly faint, collision of snow landing upon starkly frigid ice, a backdrop of virtually unknowable hissing lost to the chatter of a burdened river. Tender ears and nose aflame with the scorching brush of lingering frigid dampness, Jaystar's sharp features creased softly as he peered down from his creaking seat atop the ceremonial willow tree, heralded only by generations of kin and forbearers.

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

Another ceremony, huh? The small young warrior thought while dropping a small fish she had just caught in the fresh-kill pile.

As she approached the Willow Branch, Tinypool wondered whose ceremony would Jaystar hold tonight. Recently more apprentices had earned their warrior names, enforcing Riverclan numbers. To be honest, the warrior den was starting to feel a little crowded for her taste but if it's Darkpaw who will join the den today, then the dark-furred she-cat wouldn't mind the extra moss bed at all.

Darkpaw padded out at the call of the leader. Although she was normally comfortable with the Riverclan medicine cat, the thudding in her heart had her subconsciously avoiding Cloverheart. Instead, she sought out Tinypool. The she-cat she'd befriended as a kit was now a warrior and their dens far apart. Hardly any time had been spent sharing a den but she enjoyed the company of her friend. Padding over, she pressed her pelt to Tinypool's as she settled back on her haunches and wrapped her tail around her. She didn't say anything, focused on the thoughts reeling in her head, and relishing in the warmth of another cat who helped to soothe them.

Smooth jut of the shoulder roiling sharply under the wild mane of his unkempt coat and idly brushing off a faint dusting of snow, Jaystar's slow movements atop the weight 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 a casual, calloused invitation to all of the gradually collecting onlookers currently peering on with mirrored expressions of apt interest, the young molly standing before him had an expression of resolute interest, an outcry of carefully concealed emotion seething low in her collected and casual movements. Though every liminal passing of the bleak winter sun brought forth a new respite of experience to his unloved name, it was still difficult to pretend as though anything felt natural- especially watching the young Tinypool and Darkpaw loiter low below with the casual curiosity of all onlookers, bright and unshaded towards the future.

Distantly, he wondered what the future might lay to rest at their paws.

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

As the leader's eyes fell on her, she flinched slightly, wondering what that prying gaze could see underneath her pelt. Did he know the thoughts that raced through her mind? As insane as it sounded, in the moment, it seemed entirely possible to the young Darkpaw. But she followed the call and padded forward, pulling herself away from the sanctuary of Tinypool's pelt. Hearing of Ebonyhaze's praise caused sparks of pride to bud up in her chest and for a moment, it almost made her forget her problems. Standing before the clan, she prepared to be committed to the clan as a warrior. And it was the last thing on her mind.

Softly ghosted with the silky remnants of a faint crusting of ice and frost, gossamer and web-like against the unkempt mane of his dark coat, Jaystar swallowed down the fiery pinprick of familiarity and remembrance blossoming low and deep at the ceremonial summons- forever a permanent reminder of those once spoken to him, though the ghosts were long gone. Asylum, Ivystar, Kitefire. Dark eyes observant of the ever subtle flinching portrayed upon behalf of the young Darkpaw, the dark-furred tom was nothing but a passive observer to the pride and affection that hung heavily in the bleary afternoon sun. Considering the blight of problems that had been brought to lay before him from the singular presence of Darkpaw, it was difficult to discern what this could possibly be related to. She would be the death of him. Again. 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 Darkpaw 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 to 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. Darkpaw, do you promise to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

The ceremonial words shocked her back into the present. Darkpaw blinked a couple times before her vision refocused on Jaystar. He was waiting for her, they all were. She was going to be a warrior, this would be a joyous time - those she cared for, her mentor, they would all be proud. Perhaps even Starclan would be smiling down on her too. With a shaky breath, her eyes glanced upwards, towards the stars. So many questions without an answer, and if the ancestors did not have one, who would? It didn't matter right now. No, what matter was she was going to do all that she could for her clan and those around her. Wandering paws and a worried heart could wait for after the ceremony. Whatever this thing was that hung over her, it would come to fruition one way or another. A particular resignation lit her gaze and she nodded towards the leader, "I do."

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 gaunt tom continuously fronted a calloused expression, unwilling to divulge a fractional emotion while in the presence of the young cat before him- nerves shifting into something more subdued, a heavy weight lingering in the sharp jut of Darkpaw's little shoulders. He didn't understand much with Darkpaw, and attempts at further understanding what sort of invisible wounds she sought to carry near and dear to her heart. Perhaps he was placing too much thought into what could only be intrinsic sorrow; a familiarity he knew all too well.

"In that case, I shall grant you your new name. From this day forth, you will be known as Darkglow. RiverClan honors your kindness and perception. Tonight, you will hold a silent vigil while the rest of the Clan sleeps. Until then, we celebrate the naming of a new RiverClan Warrior." Sending forth a chilly flurry of crystalline ice and downy snows, Jaystar was quick and fluid in his movements to abandon his high-above perch and instead join the blossoming congregation thronging about the newly-named young Warrior.

When Darkpaw approached her, the dark-furred she-cat was surprised. She looked at the apprentice, who was already bigger than her, and she could sense something was troubling her mind. There was nothing she could do to help right now during a ceremony but maybe for now... all she needed was to feel accompanied. Tinypool curled her tail around the black-ginger molly and purred to comfort her while they waited for Jaystar announcement.

When the name of the apprentice came out from the Riverclan leader, happiness flooded Tinypool's heart. She gave Darkpaw a smile of encouragement and nudged her gently. She knew how intimidating Jaystar could be but the warrior had no doubt that nothing would go wrong during Darkpaw's ceremony.

After her name was announced and Jaystar left the Willow Branch, Tinypool rushed towards the newly-named warrior. With a purr, she pressed her head against Darkglow's chest and smiled at her. "Congratulations! If you want, I can prepare a moss bed just for you tonight. Don't worry, I will bring your favourite shells." Though the young warrior still felt like Darkglow was going through something she didn't know, she wanted her to at least feel happy for her ceremony. From now on, they would share a den and maybe... even talk about what is troubling her.

Darkglow.

It would take some getting used to for sure, but it sounded pleasant on the leader's tongue, that was nice enough. She smiled, nodding up at him bashfully. Even though he was intimidating, a reminder of the moments she had been inadequate and caught between poor decisions, she didn't mind Jaystar. He was this far away creature, perhaps mystical like Starclan would have been if she had not walked with them so often.

As he leaped down, finishing the ceremony, Tinypool came over to greet her. She nodded enthusiastically, wondering if the comfort of a friend might keep her rooted to the nest and allow for more sleep. Regardless, the sentiment was a nice one and more than welcome. Darkglow's thoughts briefly turned to the vigil, finding it perhaps less overwhelming than most new warriors. The darkness as her uninterrupted companion was enticing.

"Thank you, Tinypool. I can't wait to be in the same den with you. A new nest sounds wonderful." A genuine smile crossed her maw, briefly absolved on the many worries that circled her head like persistent vultures.