curlypaw's warrior ceremony

Mottlestar's mind had certainly been elsewhere, especially with all that had just happened in the forest. But it was time to begin commending the apprentices that had held their own in battle. Standing proudly, the she-cat called out. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting!"

His moonstone journey and meeting Clouddream formally had been anything but expected. He knew about her being mute from what his clanmates had told him and while her silence had been deafening, her presence had been more than enough. Somehow, he'd made it back home without bringing his tears back with him, though it had been hard to hold them back on the way home, especially after an experience like that.

Now, he sat beneath Highrock with the rest of his clanmates as they curiously held their gazes up at their leader, wondering what the announcement would be about. Though while his body was there, his mind was certainly somewhere else, which was unusual for the young tom, but he couldn't help it; not after all that had been going on, that was for sure.

As the cats gathered, Mottlestar gave a small nod as she saw the tom in question. Her tail twitched with excitement for the young tom, and once enough had come together, she called out. [cololr=#999966]"Curlypaw, please step forward."[/color] Once the tom did so, she would continue on. "Curlypaw, you have trained hard in the ways of the warrior, and you have more than done your part to earn your full place in Thunderclan in light of recent events. But as is tradition, I must ask. Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and serve Thunderclan, even at the cost of your life?"

Ears perking at Mottlestar's words, Curlypaw couldn't believe it; today was the day he would become a warrior! He was far from being a worthy fighter like Firepaw or a top-notch hunter like Rosepaw, but he promised that he'd keep on trying his best. If that meant serving his clan and being able to protect them all, he couldn't wait to improve his weaknesses.

Listening as the leader continued, the curly coated apprentice nodded his head up and down, his eyes locked onto her's. "I do!" he mewed enthusiastically from below Highrock.

At her daughter's outburst, Mottlestar couldn't help but chuckle. "It seems your impact on your Clanmates has shown no bounds. In that case, I am more than honored to say that by the powers given to me by Starclan, from this day forth, you shall be known as Curlyfluff. Thunderclan honors you for your spirit and kind heart. As is custom, tonight, you will sit in silent vigil and watch your clan as we sleep." She dipped her head, before looking right at Rosepaw.

"But for now, we celebrate! Thunderclan, welcome your newest warrior!" She called out, before leaping down to congratulate the tom.

While it was great news that ThunderClan gained a new warrior today, Firepaw couldn't help but not feel as excited as her sister, Rosepaw was. It was almost insulting that Curlyfluff, of all cats, made it to warrior before-- Curly...fluff? A smile found its way to her scarred maw. Well, it was fitting. The name instantly cured her bad mood with how goofy she thought it was. "Congratulations, Curlyfluff. I'll be on your tail soon enough. We'll have a real battle then!"

A wide smile grew on his maw as Rosepaw howled his name, though his eyes didn't waver from the leader. As Mottlestar mewed her ceremonial words to the clan below, the young tom felt a sense of fulfillment grow inside of him. He was a warrior, the day had finally come! And Curlyfluff... what a perfect name, he was so happy Mottlestar had chosen this name for him.

Sitting up tall as his his clanmates began to cheer around him, he turned his attention to Firepaw who sat close by. Oddly enough, a smile sat on her face which made him grow giddy. "You betcha!" he laughed at her comment. He couldn't wait for them to battle more so that he could continue to get better and better. Not to mention sparing with one of his best friends was certainly the greatest way to spend his time.