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: Scarletpaw's Warrior Ceremony Sun 31 Mar 2024 - 12:21
One ceremony for the day completed, one left to go. Seeing her Clanmates come together and rejoice did make its way through the distance that Perchstar felt between them and herself, if only barely. Her main goal in life was still their well-being, their prosperity, their happiness. Whether or not she was a part of it did not matter, she tried to convince herself. As long as they could flourish, could move past this horribly long leaf-bare into the bright newleaf now awaiting them, it did not matter what they thought of her. So she would push past her own unstoppable pessimism to conduct another ceremony--this one for Scarletpaw. The tom had grown and changed somewhat since his brief time being lost from the Clans at the lake. Though he had been unhappy to train under Murkyriver rather than Mistwalker--the thought of her daughter bringing a pang of grief once again that she shook off--he had eventually risen to the occasion and learned what he needed to. He had earned his name, even begrudgingly. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own fish gather for a Clan meeting," Perchstar called, her voice just loud enough to reach her Clanmates who were currently in camp.
Though he was actively attempting to suppress his sense of anticipation, Scarletpaw couldn't quite push it out of his mind. Not entirely. He had trained long and hard to be a warrior; in a very real and literal sense, as a RiverClan cat, he was born to be a warrior.
He sat among his Clanmates--not at the edge, not at the front; just in the midst of the gathering crowd--and looked up at their leader. Perchstar, who so often seemed untouchable; her expected presence the cold and comforting rain. As still and steady as the stone of Sunningrocks.
She commanded respect effortlessly, without speaking a single word, and so he offered it without complaint.
Today, he hoped that his own commitments and contributions would be rewarded; but he had already halfway resigned himself to another night in the apprentice's den, this time without the comforting presence of his one and only friend.
It didn't take very long to pick the apprentice in question out of the crowd. Perchstar made eye contact with him, regarding him with complete neutrality. "Today we are gathered to celebrate the advancement of another apprentice to warriorhood. Scarletpaw, step forward." He had the pride characteristic of most RiverClan cats, and though he'd been a little bit humbled by his dangerous absence at the lake, most of it remained and it would serve him well. Despite his complaints and sometimes abrasive personality, he was skilled, and he'd worked with Murkyriver--eventually--to complete all of his education. “I, Perchstar, leader of RiverClan, call upon my Clanmates to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of the warrior code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn. Scarletpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?” Her eyes narrowed with the question, looking carefully at him. She had no doubt as to his answer, but it was still an answer he would have to give. Was he willing to give his life for the Clan? To follow the Code and to follow his leader, whether or not he agreed with her?
To any cat paying attention to him, they might have noticed a flicker of genuine surprise as his name was finally called; though he swiftly stepped forward as Perchstar began the ceremony. It was all so familiar, as it was to just about any apprentice: he'd dreamt of this, of those sacred words being directed at him, for as long as he could remember dreaming.
He considered the oath before him, the words he knew he had to say, and wondered if he could keep this oath. Could a warrior that froze in the face of danger be called a warrior at all? Was he worthy of this moment in the first place?
(Did it matter, when there wasn't any way to turn back and still keep his pride?)
"I do," he declared, the traditional response delivered swiftly and with practiced confidence.
Regardless, he could still project the air of a confident warrior. It was easy enough to act the part when he'd been playing it all his life.
As opposed to Pigeonpounce, Scarletpaw showed no hesitation. Perhaps he was more prepared, or he just didn't think about it as much. That didn't make his answer any less valid. Perchstar nodded in response, seeing the confidence that he felt--or at least acted like he felt. “Then I give you your warrior name. Scarletpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Scarletflare. Your Clanmates honor your intelligence and courage, and we welcome you as a full warrior of RiverClan.” With that, the leader leapt down from the branch to conclude the ceremony with the traditional. For a moment she rested her muzzle on top of the newly-named warrior's head before stepping back. Two new warriors to bolster the ranks. Hopefully... their claws would not be necessary anytime soon.
