Ravenpaw's Warrior Ceremony

It felt like her heart was in her throat as Acornstem jumped onto the Highrock, staring down at the Clan beneath her. This was something she knew was going to happen, but it didn't make it any easier of a reality to swallow. It hurt, having to do warrior ceremonies as it always keenly reminded her of the absence within the Clan. Of how she was a subpar replacement for Mottlestar but this...This hurt even more. She had been so excited to give Mottlestar an apprentice, to help Mottlestar get back into the swing of things once the sickness was finally dealt with but now... Her ears slicked back, a heaviness on her shoulders. She knew what it was like to be an apprentice without a mentor but even now, she didn't know what had become of hers. Ravenpaw, however, knew exactly what had torn her mentor away from her and it just...It didn't feel fair.

"Let all cats safe from the bramble's thorns gather beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting!"

Auburnflare gathered at Acornstem's call. He couldn't help but wonder when she would visit Starclan. It had been long enough. Although, he knew she and the clan grieved Mottlestar's loss. Even he felt it, despite not knowing her too well, but the sensation presented itself as an undying rage towards Skyclan. Settling back and turning his gaze to the new leader, he waited to see what would be announced to the clan.

It wasn't that long ago the clan had gathered to celebrate Auburnflare becoming a warrior, and here they were once more, gathering at Acornstem's call. Ravenpaw had just returned from patrol, and was looking for a place to stretch out in the sun, but she turned at the almost-leader's voice and padded towards the rock. Spying the aforementioned tom, Ravenpaw plopped herself beside him and glanced over, raising one brow.

"Don't look so serious," she chided playfully, grinning up at the new warrior. "I'm sure it's good news."

Truthfully, she wasn't so sure, but there was no sense in worrying until there was confirmation, right? Else you'd spend your whole life worrying, and that was no way to live.

Acornstem's claws tapped on the stone beneath her, anxiety to get this started if only so she could retreat into the leader's den once more. She hated it, the feeling of her Clanmates' eyes on her because she was certain she was a disappointment to them. Why wouldn't she be? She wasn't happy or proud with her behavior, of hiding in her den but she had the energy - the strength - to do little else. ...Truly they all deserved somebody better than her, but she shook her head to chase it away.

For now, she was still leader even if she didn't think she was worthy. Ceremonies had to happen. Her eyes, however drifted to Auburnspark and another wave of guilt crossed over her. He had deserved a better ceremony than she had gave him, and she couldn't even be sure if Ravenpaw would get anything better. She cleared her throat, curling her tail around her. "I've called you all here... Because our Clan continues to grow despite...Despite our hardships," she managed, swallowing a wave of bitterness at the lives that they had lost so recently. "B-Because we continue to carry on an-and keep moving forward," she added thought the words felt bitter on her tongue - after all she was barely a shining example with all of her hiding.

"...Ravenpaw, please step forward," she meowed, glancing down at her with a weak smile. "You, in particular, l-lost your mentor but yet you carry on with high spirits. And so, I, Acornstem, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon you. Under Mottlestar's guidance, did you trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code and so I commend you to both her and the stars above," she meowed, her gaze drifting upwards to stare at the sky above. ...Was Mottlestar watching? Acornstem had no doubt that Mottlestar would be proud of Ravenpaw, but certainly the leader would disapprove of Acornstem's behavior in the recent moon... She sighed softly, before she turned her attention back to the ceremony.

"Ravenpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Turned out it was good news, as Acornstem proved when calling her forward. Giving a pleased twitch of her whiskers, Ravenpaw lifted her haunches and padded over. The other she-cat looked troubled, and Ravenpaw's eyes rounded sympathetically. Acornstem still hadn't gotten over Mottlestar's death, and it was clear she hadn't quite been ready to take her place... Ravenpaw knew little of clan politics or hierarchy, but what she did know is that ThunderClan needed a strong leader... and Acornstem needed the support of her clanmates.

The dark-striped apprentice met the leader's gaze, smiling in what she hoped was a reassuring manner, and her ears twisted forward to listen to Acornstem's speech. When it came time for her to speak, Ravenpaw lifted her head, determinedly stating: "I do! I will protect ThunderClan with my life, Acornstem!"

Seeing Ravenpaw's energy despite everything brought an honest smile to Acornstem's face, her ears perking up as she gathered the words she needed to speak next. "Then by the power bestowed to me, I give you your warrior name," she spoke, tilting her head as she pondered over what next to say - what attributes to praise. But even then, it felt easy in the wake of Ravenpaw's determined answer. "As a cat who has taken the hardships and risen above it with such grace, energy and determination... From this moment on, you will be known as Ravenloft - as a reminder to always keep looking forward and not to be weighed down by what the world throws at you."

She knew the words she was speaking was almost hypocritical - in this moment, she could honestly believe what she was saying as she stared at the newly named Ravenloft but she also... She also knew that she could not let go what had happened so easily. The grief would claim her again, maybe tonight - maybe tomorrow but for now...She could almost breathe a little easier - she could only hope Ravenloft would serve as an reminder and aid for all of the grieving cats of ThunderClan that there was a tomorrow to see and strive for. She jumped from the rock, padding over to gently headbutt Ravenloft's chest. "Mottlestar is proud of you, I know it," she murmured, her voice cracking a bit at the mention of the previous leader's name. "...I'm proud as well. May you be what ThunderClan needs in this trying time."

"Maybe you need to look more serious." Auburnflare retorted with a snort but his features softened. The apprentice, only a few sunrises ago his denmate, was pleasant to be around despite their inherent differences in the way they viewed the world. Before he could say anything else, Acornstem was speaking. His nose twitched slightly at her hesitant address to the clan. A stronger voice was needed to stand up on the Highrock? he knew that much. Sageroot had seemed more in place.

Ravenpaw recognized this too but instead of disdain, she offered grace. At first, he couldn't understand why the young she-car was so accepting of the quivering words that summonded her forward for the ceremony. To his surprise, the leader's voice seemed waver less as the ceremony continued and her ears perked. Good news indeed. He thought as the molly's warrior name was announced. After joining the chorus of cheers, Auburnflare trotted after the new warrior to tease her lightly, "Couldn't leave me alone for too long, huh, Ravenloft?"