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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Characters : [P]oppyshine; [Pi]neblossom; [L]arkspring; [Wi]llowwisp; [R]ashoumon; [B]lazekit Clan/Rank : RC T5 Deputy; SC T5; RC T5; RC T5; Rogue T1; WC App Number of posts : 3162 Gender : Any Pronouns Age : 26
Subject: Sandyshell's Elder Ceremony Thu 1 Feb 2024 - 20:21
Poppyshine
It was wonderful to be back home, but there was a heaviness in Poppyshine’s chest. Sandyshell had spoken with Poppyshine on the way back home about a number of things, but namely, her retirement. Poppyshine had been waiting for this day, because Sandyshell had been so stressed for so long in her position as Medicine Cat and she knew that her daughter would not be happy as a warrior either. Still…she wished that things could have worked better for her daughter. Sandyshell had such a big heart, and so much to give for her clan. Poppyshine was sad that her daughter couldn’t ind a place that seemed to really make her happy and stress-free.
The both of them had spoken with Perchstar as well, and their leader had agreed to let Poppyshine perform the ceremony. Poppyshine knew that Perchstar understood the pain of seeing a child retired too early, and she was grateful that Perchstar would permit her lead it.
Poppyshine stepped up onto the Willow Branch. It felt comfortable after so long away. She looked out at the familiar sight of their camp and announced, “All cats old enough to catch their own fish, please gather for a Clan meeting.”
Subject: Re: Sandyshell's Elder Ceremony Sun 4 Feb 2024 - 15:45
Sandyshell
Sandyshell slunk out of the medicine den, taking a deep breath of morning air before hacking it back out. Sparse, shallow breaths accompanied her as she slowly wobbled over to the Willow Branch. She felt weak, she felt hungry, but most of all, she felt shame. Sandyshell had come to the decision awhile ago, but now that they were home it was finally time for it to become official. And the unfortunate thing about the process was the publicity of it. She feared what others would think of her when her retirement was announced. But with her recent decline in health... maybe it's exactly what they expected.
As the rest of the clan gathered around she tried to keep her gaze focused up toward the Willow Branch. She took a deep breath. There was so much she was leaving behind- both good and bad. She had dedicated her life to medicine, something she loved and became confident in. But with the job came a stress she couldn't bear any longer. She needed to let it all go before it consumed her. And maybe her choice was selfish. Maybe she was a failure for not being able to handle her fears. But... hopefully, this would be worth it. For the sake of her body and her mind. Starclan let this be worth it.
Poppyshine gave Sandyshell a tiny smile, silently promising her that it would be okay. She loved her daughter, and she would stand by any decision she made. She knew this was hard for Sandyshell to give up too, but Poppyshine hoped that it would allow for her daughter to rest and enjoy the good things in life after so many moons of constant anxiety.
“We gather today to celebrate our medicine cat, Sandyshell, who has worked hard to keep our clan healthy for many moons. She will be stepping down from that position and retiring after earning this reprieve. Sandyshell, we thank you for your service, and we are happy to have had you as our medicine cat.” Poppyshine took a deep breath. Just a moon ago she had said these same words to Mistwalker. She was too young to retire, and it felt like Sandyshell was too…but this was what was best for her. Her daughter deserved a calm life after all she was exposed to so young. “Sandyshell, is it your wish to give up the name of a medicine cat and instead retire to the life of an elder?”
Sandyshell shuffled nervously as the ceremony was just about to begin. But when her mother smiled to her she made more effort to relax. Now that she wouldn't be so busy maybe the two of them could spend more time together. "Yes," she answered. The tabby nearly turned to watch the crowd behind her. What were they feeling? Betrayed? Disappointed? ...Relieved? Sandyshell closed her eyes. Stop thinking about it. It doesn't matter, she told herself. Whatever they thought of her... she was too tired to care. She just wanted to rest now. In peace.
Poppyshine’s expression softened at the quiet answer. She nodded. “Then I accept your wish.” She looked back towards her clan, acknowledging them as witnessing the event, and then looks to Sandyshell one more time. “RiverClan honors you and all you have done for us as a medicine cat. I call upon StarClan to give you many moons of well-deserved rest.”
She stepped down from the official branch and moved forward to meet her daughter. She brushed their cheeks together and pressed her flank to Sandyshell’s. “I love you. You have done so much for our clan. You should be proud.” Poppyshine punctuated her affectionate words with a lick to the top of her head, as Poppyshine always did when she was a kit.
Technically, most ceremonies were the duty of a leader to complete... but Perchstar had agreed that Poppyshine should be allowed to conduct this one. The premature retirement of her own daughter. Thinking about Mistwalker still sent a pang of frustrated grief through her, so she ignored that in favor of the quieter, more somber sense of loss at Sandyshell's desire to become an elder. The job of medicine cat had always been a difficult one, but for a cat as kind as Sandyshell, the repeated traumas had apparently become too much. The incident with the hawk. The loss of Dovesight. The kidnappings of so many Clanmates. The illness, the journey on top of everything... Perchstar understood. It was a lot to take. She didn't begrudge the decision. Littlepaw was capable and competent, and Sandyshell could continue her mentorship duties in a more relaxed position from the elders' den.
Still, the way Sandyshell closed her eyes did not escape Perchstar's notice. The ceremony concluded with Poppyshine's words, obviously a mix of acceptance and sadness, and the leader did not intrude upon the moment they shared. She quietly debated whether she ought to step forward at all. She knew that her presence had always made Sandyshell uncomfortable, even to the point of shaking with fear when Perchstar came to ask a simple question. Perhaps talking to her now would only make this obviously difficult decision that much worse. But... it was the duty of her position, if nothing else, to make sure that the decision was "honored"--as the ceremonial words put it. So once the mother-daughter embrace was over, the leader stepped forward, hoping that she didn't look as awkward as she felt. "I... thank you for your service," she murmured. It was difficult to quite meet Sandyshell's eyes; Perchstar had never succeeded as a trustable authority figure for her. It had been obvious that she would always rather speak to Poppyshine, even about revelations or prophecies from StarClan that ought to have been a leader's prerogative. Perhaps she even wished Poppyshine to stand where Perchstar now stood. She might not have to wait long, if that was the case. It didn't make Perchstar upset... just squeezed her chest all that much tighter. But, putting aside her personal feelings, she managed to find Sandyshell's gaze with her own. "The job of medicine cat is a hard one, but you did your work admirably. Much more suffering was stayed by your paw than any else. I truly hope that you are able to find peace and rest."
Her shoulders dropped as she released her breath. It was done. Sandyshell didn’t dare look at anyone’s face. She focused on Poppyshine and inhaled, filling her lungs with her mother’s comforting touch. Proud? She blinked. There had been times when she had helped her clanmates. She had healed their wounds and comforted those that couldn’t be mended. But there were those she did not save. And clanmates like Duckpaw she didn’t give enough time to. Although Sandyshell wasn’t proud in the way Poppyshine meant, there was a sense of success in completing this ceremony and challenging her fear of clanmates’ disapproval. Maybe she had more bravery than she thought.
Sandyshell pressed her cream muzzle under her mother’s chin. “I love you too. Thank you for believing in me even when I don’t.” She held herself in Poppyshine’s embrace a little bit longer. Spotting her leader nearby she reluctantly let go and turned to the towering white-spotted molly. Sandyshell forced herself to meet Perchstar’s water-blue gaze. She still had no idea what thoughts were behind those eyes, but the uncharacteristic struggle for eye contact was worrying. She steeled herself for whatever kind of opinion the leader decided to share. But from where she expected at least monotone congratulations or even a single nod, instead came a shy murmur of… thanks. Sandyshell barely kept her maw from parting or her eyes widening in surprise.
Suddenly what personal pride she had scrounged up didn’t matter. It didn’t matter if she thought she did well, Perchstar thought she did well. It didn’t matter if everyone else thought less of her for this, Perchstar approved. “I truly hope that you are able to find peace and rest.” Truly. “Th- Thank you,” she said automatically. “Thank you,” she repeated in a softer, earnest tone. “I…” What was the right thing to say? What kind of response did she expect? Sandyshell cut herself short. Don’t overthink this. Be honest, like Perchstar deserves. She took a breath and slowly said, “I am lucky to have served under you. You lead a clan like no other. And you kept me safe when... When I needed it.” The thankfulness and admiration in her voice were clear, even if her words were not. “Riverclan’s strength has always come from you. It’s forged… for you. So… thank you, for letting me be your medicine cat.”
