Owlpaw's Warrior Ceremony

Perchstar made her way to the top of the Willow Branch with a graceful leap. The early greenleaf sunlight was warm on her back--but she felt a similar, different warmth blossoming from inside. This wasn't just because RiverClan was thriving, with more apprentices than ever before, several fresh new litters of kits, and an ever-growing rank of warriors. This wasn't just because they had won their recent confrontation with WindClan, and done so with an ease she'd hardly expected. This wasn't just because of their imminent alliance with ThunderClan and SkyClan. No--this was also due to the fact that today's ceremony was that of Owlpaw. Her apprentice. Not only had he proven himself to be an apt studier and quick learner, proficient in both hunting and fighting, but he had also taken on the role of big brother to a litter of five adopted rogue kits. She had seen him grow in that capacity as well, learning how to take care of the (frankly unruly) bunch and be even more responsible than he had been already. With the conclusion of his Moonstone journey... he was ready. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own fish gather for a Clan meeting," she called clearly.

Egretswoop and Mistwalker both found themselves heeding Perchstar's call. Egretswoop donning her fox pelt as she found a place, and Mistwalker simply giving a glance towards her mother before finding somewhere within the crowd. If it was Perchstar atop the rock, it meant either a new warrior, or news for the Clan. What was within both molly's minds as to what it was? They couldn't quite say...

Owlpaw was grooming his fur, trying to smooth out all the edges and rough patches. His fur was groomed to perfection, as he would do since he was on break between patrols. The large brown tom was about to turn to go rest in the apprentices den when he noticed Perchstar approaching the Willow Branch. Blue eyes looked up at the leader slowly moving over and taking a spot beneath the branch. The large tom looked up at his mentor waiting on what she had to say.

Perchstar noticed the approach of her apprentice, who settled in the crowd alongside Egretswoop and her daughter Mistwalker. She had discussed with him that she now found him ready, but the date of his ceremony had not been mentioned, given how preoccupied she had been with planning the fight for the Gorge. But now, just a few days after, a celebration was in order... and what better celebration than the naming of a worthy new warrior? "Cats of RiverClan," the leader said, "we gather today to welcome a new warrior into our ranks. I have trained him personally, witnessed his skills, and found him prepared to gain his name. Owlpaw, please step forward."

Owlpaw blinked in surprise as his name was called. He knew it was a matter of time but part of him still felt it was sooner than he was thinking, not that he was going to protest. Part of him was glad to finally be a warrior. Someone worthy of a warrior name. Pride swelled inside his chest. He knew he looked good, and he knew he worked for his name. This moment couldn't be more perfect. The large tom stepped forward, eyes shining with Pride.

Perchstar saw the pride gleaming in Owlpaw's eyes as he stepped up. It was deserved. He'd worked hard to get where he was. That pride reflected back on her, like the sun warming both of her pelts, shared between them in the moment as mentor and apprentice, as leader and Clanmate. “I, Perchstar, leader of RiverClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on 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. Owlpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?” The question was, as always, delivered with solemn sincerity. Ice-blue eyes met those of the dark brown tom, studying his gaze. There was pride there, yes. But she'd also seen the determination behind his paws. The determination to learn. The desire to exceed. Would that be put in the service of RiverClan wholeheartedly?

Dark ears were perked, straight up, listening intently to the words of his leader. A promise of loyalty, a promise to protect. A promise he was willing to follow through on to the best of his abilities. He was determined to do so, as long as Riverclan stuck by him in turn. "I do." The brown tom affirmed. His tone coming out as strong as he felt. He was ready.

Perchstar nodded in satisfaction. The words were enough, accompanied with the strong desire shining behind her apprentice's eyes. “Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Owlpaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Owlcall. StarClan honors your pride and your loyalty, and we welcome you as a full warrior of RiverClan."

The leader leapt from the willow branch, ending the ceremony with the familiar gesture. She rested her muzzle atop his head. The closeness was no longer strange to her. Now it was even pleasant--a last moment shared with her former apprentice as he achieved the newest accomplishment in his life. "Congratulations," she told him, approval shining for a moment in the normally unfathomable depths of her gaze. Then she stepped back, ready to let his family and friends congratulate him.

--

Dovekit had come hurriedly from the nursery when he heard the leader's voice speak his older brother's name. Excitement made his paws stumble, but he managed to make it to the outskirts of the crowd--just close enough to see--by the time Perchstar ended the ceremony. Technically he had not been invited to the meeting, not being allowed to catch his own fish yet. But he was allowed to call his brother's new name with the rest of the Clan. "Owlcall! Owlcall!" he cheered, running up to press his smaller form to the newly named warrior's side. "Congratulations, brother."

"Owlcall! Owlcall!"
"Owlcall! Owlcall!"

The new warrior's name rang out loudly from both mollies, cheering in near-unision as the tom was named. It was, in fact, a new warrior in their den tonight. Egretswoop was particularly thankful for the fortune that seemed to be spreading through Riverclan as of recent times, and Mistwalker couldn't wait for the day it would be her own apprentice joining. Their tails danced with joy, letting family first go to congratulate the warrior before they would attempt to offer words of their own.

Congrats owlcall! Sprucebark cheered happily watching as the clan gained their newest warrior.

He purred happily watching everyone celebrate and the kits run all about. He made a mental note to try and get to know his younger clanmates better soon. Dove kit was clearly excited and Sprucebark felt a bit bad that before today he hadn’t even known the two were siblings.


I need to stop dweling in the past so much maybe he thought quietly

Cinderkit had heard Perchstars calling and had lifted herself to have a nose on what was happening. When Dovekit surged past her, she let out a squeak of surprise and knew that this had to be good. She poked her face out into the bright outside just in time to catch the tail-end of Owlcall's ceremony, and her face lit up with elation.

"Owlcall! Owlcall!" She mrreowed happily from the nursery mouth. Dovekit looked so proud of him.

Not to be left behind, Swankit was right behind Dovekit as her older brother's name was called. Privately, the kit wished it was her own ceremony, but the ceremony of one of her siblings was the next best thing.

"Owlcall! Owlcall!" Her voice rose with her clanmates as the ceremony concluded, and Swankit darted forward on somewhat still unsteady paws, her excitement clear as a loud purr caught in her throat. "Congratulations!" Soon enough it would be her turn!