Hawkpaw’s Warrior Ceremony

“Let all cats old enough to run the moor join beneath the Tallrock for a Clan meeting!” Goldenstar’s claws scrstched quietly against the Tallrock as she awaited her Clan and the specters that lived (un-lived?) among them. Hesitation still left her stomach in knots despite the passing time. Her predecessors never once mentioned what to do if the undead commandeered the entire forest, though she supposed they were gone now, and a sharp thorn of grief pricked at her heart when she considered the intense bonds her leader ceremony had forged. Goldenstar wasn’t keen to learn if the Dark Forest would honor her life-pact with StarClan and revive her in the event of her death. Nonetheless, her concerns were secondary; the least she could do was properly celebrate her Clan’s achievements. And so she stood, poised against the whipping winds and secret doubt as she waited for young Hawkpaw.

Hawkpaw, loathe as he was to actually obey the orders of his superiors, knew his ceremony was fast approaching. Then with the Dark Forest moving in and deciding to call their territory home, Goldenstar would need more warriors than ever. It was only right that he attend every ceremony now, in the hopes that it would be his, and that he would finally earn his warrior name. Coyotegrin had already earned hers anyway, and Hawkpaw had never been a fan of losing to her.

It was close to time that Hawkpaw would be getting his name. After all, it was only shortly after her apprentice ceremony did he have his. When her mother called the clan to a meeting, she joined the clan gathering. Hopefully, this was for him. Coyotegrin was determined to call his name the loudest.

OOC: I want to personally apologize for the delay in Hawkpaw's ceremony. As soon as you post, I'll make sure to finish it in Sun's behalf.

Fawnsong followed closely behind Goldenstar. He still didn't understand why he should be doing this but if it had to be done... well, the leader's word was law, right? Uncomfortable, the former warrior and now medicine cat climbed the rock (though he decided it would be for the best if he didn't reach its peak since it was reserved for deputy and leader) and addressed the soon-to-be warrior. With a stoic, strict expression to hide his own insecurities, he looked down at Hawkpaw and mewed. "I call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. He has worked hard to learn the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in return. Hawkpaw, do you promise to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your own life?"

Hawkpaw deliberated saying the words for a moment, usually a silent, stoic tom. However, one look to Coyotegrin told him that he needed to speak the words. Just to be sure maybe, to himself. Also, nobody would be on his tail about just nodding. "I do." That was that, the tom shut his mouth nearly as soon as the words escaped. For a moment, he wondered what his name would be, knowing that it would have to be something cool. Something better than Coyotegrin's was all he could think as he awaited the moment that would decide his name for, likely the rest of his life.

Relieved that the apprentice had not questioned his presence in the ceremony, the medicine cat continued with the ceremony, remembering the name Goldenstar had decided for the young tom. "Then from this moment on, you will be known as Hawkheart. The clan recognizes your stoicism and bravery in battle. As all the warriors before you, you will sit vigil alone tonight but until that moment, we celebrate your new name." Just like his leader would do, he dismissed the meeting with a flick of his tail and quickly jumped from the Tallrock. Since Fawnsong didn't personally know Hawkheart, he decided it was for the best that he celebrates with his friends and family. However, he still gave him a nod of approval before going back to his den.

Hawkheart... he liked it! Immediately rushing to Coyotegrin, he headbutted her with all his might, playfully trying to knock her over. "I'm a warrior, and you aren't ahead of me anymore." He spoke matter of factly, grinning at the shorter molly. He didn't usually show this much emotion, but this was quite the occasion. His tail tapped the ground excitedly as he went back to his normal demeanor, slowly but surely.