The future's in your paws. Shape it well.Roleplay in a cat Clan of warriors. Based off the Warriors series by Erin Hunter. Takes place in an AU before the cats in the books existed.
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Subject: Drizzlepaw's Warrior Ceremony Wed 28 Jun 2023 - 13:47
With many new litters of kits set to take up place in the apprentice den, Perchstar was glad that so many apprentices were completing the requirements to get their names. Their number of warriors had nearly doubled since the start of newleaf. It seemed like the stars had finally begun to bless them once more. (Whether the stars had anything to do with it, or it was some other reason entirely, she remained uncertain.) But in the meantime, she was here to celebrate the advancement of one of their apprentices--Drizzlepaw. Despite being unable to speak, the she-cat had learned well, and though she had been the catalyst for war, it had not been her fault. All had remained well. RiverClan had even gotten the Gorge territory out of it. It seemed like there would be no better time to congratulate her for her efforts in learning and succeeding than now. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own fish gather for a Clan meeting."
At Perchstar’s call, Drizzlepaw meandered over, tail-tip twitching as she looked about for a friend to sit with- Lavenderpaw, probably, but Mothpaw was a cat she was fond of as well. Meetings weren’t her favourite thing in the forest, too many cats and too close about, but she understood the importance of supporting kits as they took their next steps. That was-
Not what this was about, was it? Suddenly curious, Drizzlepaw tilted her head, looking up at Perchstar. A warrior ceremony, maybe, but perhaps this had something to do with the rising tensions in the forest? Stars above, she hoped they wouldn’t be fighting WindClan.
At the call of Perchstar, Fawneye padded forward towards the willow branch, eyes curious though certainly looking for a friend to chat with. She assumed it was another apprentice becoming a warrior, or perhaps a kit becoming an apprentice. In that case it would give her the chance of becoming a mentor again. Darkpaw had gotten quite sick and wasn't able to finish his training as far as she knew, but there was always hope he would be able to return back to duties. Regardless, she sat down and groomed her chest fur as she listened for the name to be called for their ceremony.
Perchstar looked down at Drizzlepaw. It just occurred to her that the warrior ceremony required words from both parties, and that the apprentice in question could not speak. But so long as she nodded, and the leader saw assent in her eyes, it should be all right. That minor stumble already corrected in her head, the leader spoke. "RiverClan, today we gather to celebrate the advancement of an apprentice to warriorhood. She has worked hard to overcome many challenges, and she has been proven worthy of her name. Drizzlepaw, please step forward."
It was a warrior ceremony, thankfully. Not a declaration of war. Drizzlepaw listened carefully until the moment when her name- her name was called.
As a kit, she’d dreamed of this day, but ever since the trials and tribulations of warriorhood had been smacked in her face, Drizzlepaw had just focused on making it through each day. Now, though- now, she would finally become a warrior, at long last. It had been quite some time, she felt, yet now that the day had come it felt almost surreal.
The wispy-pelted apprentice stepped forwards, amber eyes meeting Perchstar’s.
Perchstar met Drizzlepaw's eyes, reassured by the determination she saw there. "I, Perchstar, leader of RiverClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has worked hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn." Her own gaze was intent as she looked at the apprentice, asking the most important question. "Drizzlepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
As a kit, Drizzlepaw had never put much thought to those lines. Now, still sporting the faint scars on her leg from a skirmish she hadn’t started, she mulled the words over. They tasted sour on her tongue- but so did the travelling herbs that had given her the strength to make the long journey to the Moonstone, and perhaps such an oath would give her strength as well.
The ginger-and-cream molly nodded briskly, unwavering amber gaze never leaving Perchstar’s.
Perchstar nodded approvingly. Drizzlepaw had been through a lot more than most, and yet she had come on top. She looked forward to seeing how the she-cat would do as a warrior, with her new skills and abilities. “Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Drizzlepaw, from this moment on you will be known as Drizzlepool. StarClan honors your dedication and adaptability, and we welcome you as a full warrior of RiverClan.” The leader leapt down from the Willow Branch and finished the ceremony, resting her muzzle briefly atop Drizzlepool's head. Then she stepped back with another nod of recognition so that she could celebrate with the rest of the Clan.
"Drizzlepool!" he called her name in celebration. It was beautiful and surreal. One moment they had found each other in the crowd. One moment they had sat side by side. The next... Drizzlepaw had stepped forward, given Perchstar an unwavering nod, and been changed by the touch of the leader's muzzle on the top of her head. She was no longer Drizzlepaw.
The bittersweetness of it caught Lavenderpaw off balance as he came forward to her side, a purr caught in his throat. "Congratulations!"
