Owlpaw's Warrior Ceremony

OOC: This takes place before Vixenstar's meeting, and during Jaystar's disappearance. Chronologically after Poppypaw's ceremony.

There was yet one more ceremony to be done today, though the sun began sinking lower in the sky. Owlpaw was one of Jaystar's kits. Despite that, certainly not because of it, he had become a skilled hunter and fighter, according to Hollyleaf (and her own apprentice Poppy's glowing recommendations). So, though he would likely prefer his father to hold the ceremony, Perchfall would not force Owlpaw to wait on becoming a warrior just due to the missing leader of their Clan. RiverClan needed more loyal warriors, and if her Clanmates trusted him, that was enough for her. "Let all cats who can catch their own fish gather for a Clan meeting," she called, flicking her tail alongside the summons. Carefully, she ignored the anxiety that had been quickening her heartbeats.

Owlpaw had been searching for his father for the past few days. Yet, no matter how much he searched, his father was nowhere to be seen. Warriorship was upon him, and the tom wanted nothing more than to be named a warrior by Jaystar. To see the proud gleam in his eyes, to see that shine...well, it was everything Owlpaw ever wanted.

But it was something he may never see again. For a day that would be so thrilling, it felt like a dark shadow hanging over him. Like the empty night sky landed on his shoulders. And he sat there, head held high at the base of the willow tree. Hiding the weight with as much strength as he could muster.

Once she saw the dark young tom, Perchfall nodded in his direction. Though she normally would not allow any sign of weakness to show in front of her Clanmates, even an apprentice, she was not able to hide the gleam in her eyes. Sympathy, apology maybe. She would rather have Jaystar do this ceremony as well, as strange and unwise as the tom may have been. But the ceremony could not be postponed any longer. "Owlpaw," she spoke finally, "Hollyleaf has informed me that you are ready to become a warrior. RiverClan needs the strength you can provide. If you are willing, please step forward." She would give him the choice to back out, if he truly believed it was the right decision. But if not, his ceremony would commence.

So, it was his ceremony.

The tom hid his conflicting emotions into a small nod. Gingerly, he rose from his spot near the front of the crowd. A golden gaze flickered towards the entrance to the camp, willing the form of his father to walk past the reeds and take over the ceremony himself. Willing for this one day for it to be true.

Instead, only a smell breeze trailed in, bringing in the evening air. Managing the disappointment in a sigh, Owlpaw approached. His steps were soft and calculated, taking his sweet time approaching. Partly because he wanted to give Jaystar time to show, and partly to draw attention to himself. To draw attention to the way he held his head up high, to the way his eyes held confidence.

He was going to be a warrior today. There was no way the clan was going to see him in such a state.

Rushpaw joined the gathering crowd at the call of the deputy, as normal. Quickly, he realized it was another ceremony, and it was Owlpaw's. His features fell slightly. It wasn't that he did not want to see his denmates thrive but to know that Owlpaw was going to become a warrior before him filled him with a burning jealousy that he was unfamiliar with. He wanted to push harder, to do better. But it didn't matter right now - the fact remained that he was left behind. Perhaps he could talk to Flywhisker later, see what he needed to work on. As his mind churned, he looked up at Perchfall, waiting for the ceremony to be over.

"So soon?" Pipitpaw frowned. That didn't make much sense at all.

There was a slowness to Owlpaw's movements, a reluctance, as he walked forward. Still, Perchfall nodded, accepting his choice. It was the right one. Never having been close to her family, she did not exactly know how the tom felt, but she understood the reasoning behind it. "I, Perchfall, deputy of RiverClan," she began, letting her clear tone rise above the few murmurs and whispers of her Clanmates, "call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of the code, and I recommend him to you as a warrior in his turn." Though this would be hard for him, it would also be one of the biggest decisions of his life. In a forest filled with death and fear, could he hold true to his Clan? They needed strong warriors. "Owlpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

He did. He promised to uphold the code that his family for generations before him had. Owlpaw promised to protect his home with everything he had. His home, his friends, his family. If it resulted in it, Owlpaw would lay his life on the line if it meant that they were to live. Yellow eyes flickered towards Poppypaw, then, towards his siblings in the crowd, his mother Harebounce. With his father missing, he wanted nothing more than to see her proud too. Even more so.

Nothing would make them prouder than being the best warrior he could be. StarClan pray for any who threatened his clan.

"I do."

Perchfall looked closely at the apprentice as he spoke, and then nodded. His conviction was plain to see; he would make a good warrior for the Clan. "Then by the powers of StarClan," she said, "I give you your warrior name. Owlpaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Owlshriek. We honor your hard work and attentiveness, and welcome you as a full member of RiverClan." Leaping down to end the ceremony, she briefly rested her muzzle on top of his head in the traditional gesture before stepping away. "Congratulations," she told him, studying his golden eyes for a moment. She had no trust or love for his father... but maybe Owlshriek would be different. As long as he was loyal to RiverClan, that was what mattered.

The Riverclan deputy had called a meeting in the absence of their leader, but Riverclanners were hardly the only ones interested. Whitesnake stayed where he was near the edge of camp, though his ears pricked and swiveled in the direction of the willow branch, bright golden eyes turning to watch with an unsettling intensity. He was curious to know what this was about, just as Riverclan's own warriors must be. A wide grin spread across his face as the deputy... whatwashername, Perchfall? continued, calling forward the apprentice he'd sparred with. Owlpaw was ready to become a warrior, it seemed, and quickly given the name of Owkshriek.

"Congratulations, Owlshriek," He padded over, voice cheerful, "I knew you'd make warrior soon!" And with those words, the pale tom was already slipping back into the shadows with a grin.

Owlshriek took a large breath, exhaling the weight on his shoulders. At that, the cheers finally entered his ears, and the tom let himself draw upon the smug smile he wore. Of course, he was a warrior so soon. He was going to be the best warrior this clan had ever seen. Or die trying. Owlshriek's yellow eyes immediately landed on Poppyshine, a quiet purr escaping him. "Thank you." He mewed, pausing by her side. "I suppose we will have to take our vigil together." He offered her a small smile.

The moment, of course, was ruined by the appearance of a familiar shadowy cat. However, instead of recoiling at his sudden appearance, Owlshriek stayed silent, watching him slip away once again. A reminder, of course. He wasn't the strongest cat out there. Owlshriek was reminded of that every time he glanced down. The cuts were healing, but it was a slow process. But for now, his head remained high.

Rushpaw's whiskers twitched at Pipitkit's remark - it managed to break through the soured feelings of the moment, the inadequacy that bubbled up in his chest. Regardless of the kit's input, or his mousebrained bitterness, it did not stop the naming ceremony from carrying on. An inaudible sigh left the sides of his maw but he chimed in with the rest of the clan in honoring the new warrior. It was cause for celebration, regardless of his own conflicted feelings on Owlshriek. His eyes darted to Poppyshine who rushed over to the new warrior to congratulate him. The cheers from his own maw were cut short and a soft frown touched the edges of his features. It wasn't jealously, but flickers of sadness. For more than one reason, he wished that were him, standing there. He'd have to consult his mentor and set his sights more seriously on the path of warriorhood. Being the best had never been his greatest desire or motivation but there were things on the other end he wanted and Owlshriek had pulled too far ahead.