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.
Welcome to WCC! Here are our latest announcements:
Activity checks take place on the 1st of the month. PM a staff member with the completed form if you missed it.
Newleaf is finally here, and the Clans hope to find reprieve from the tough Leaf-bare.
Gatherings take place on the 1st of the month; keep your eyes out for a staff member's post!
Please feel free to hit up any staff member if you have any questions!
Honeydew had been stewing, pacing the camp all morning, her tail held low and flicking back and forth. Something was certainly on her mind. At this rate I'm going to go grey, she thought to herself. So much was happening within the clan. How can we ever achieve peace if we can't even come together as a clan? She shook her head. Enough fretting. Worrying won't get anything accomplished.
With that Honeydew launched herself into the air, landing squarely on the Tallbranch. Her gaze sought around camp, grazing over the pelts of her classmates until she found the one she was looking for. Her tail flicked once more before she yowled out the familiar summons.
"May all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath Tallbranch for a clan meeting!"
Ridgekit, as stoic as he was, couldn't hide his excited grin. Finally, today was the day-- the day he could finally step foot outside of the nursery and never have to return, the day he became an apprentice... it was surprsingly bittersweet. It also meant his mother would return to her duties as a warrior, something he knew she missed more than anything; would she even have the time for him anymore..?
No matter, it's not like he cares anyway. He's perfectly content being alone-- alone standing proud at the base of Tallbranch, waiting for his ceremony to commense.
The approach of her clanmates surrounding the Tallbranch returned some warmth to Honeydew's pelt. No matter what was going on in the forest, it always made her happy to name a new apprentice - in fact, it was one of her favorite duties as deputy. Her blue eyes shone in the sunlight as she regarded Ridgekit, grinning excitedly. This was a special ceremony after all. Honeydew's whiskers twitched.
"It is time for yet another apprentice to be named," she announced. "Ridgekit, please step forward." She blinked warmly as the kit approached. "Ridgekit, you have reached the age of six moons, and thus it is time you became an apprentice. From now until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Ridgepaw. Your mentor will be Yewshade." Her blue eyes immediately found Yewshade from his spot among their gathered clanmates. A silent message passed between them, and she flicked her tail, gesturing for the new mentor to approach.
"Yewshade," she purred, taking a step back as the broad-shouldered tom approached. Blue eyes looking up at him, she continued, "y-you are ready to take on an apprentice. You received excellent training from Crookedlight, and you have shown yourself to be strong, brave, and determined. You will be the mentor of Ridgepaw." The deputy hesitated before stepping away to give the mentor and apprentice space, her blue gaze fixed on Yewshade's mismatched blue and gold. With a soft sigh she stepped aside, flashing a warm smile to both of them. "I know you will teach him everything that you know. Ridgepaw, make SkyClan proud."
Where had the time gone, that her son was now at the age of becoming an apprentice? Stoneheart was proud, happy to see him grow, happy to see him exit the nursery and begin his path to becoming a warrior, but it was also bittersweet. No longer would he rely on her as much, and as her kit had grown he'd grown an independent streak... Very much more of a loner type like his mother. Still, it filled the warrior with pride as Honeydew called him forward and spoke the ceremonial words. His apprenticeship would not be the chaotic mess hers had been, that was all Stoneheart asked for.
"Good luck, Ridgepaw." Her quiet purr was warm, though Stoneheart was quick to step aside to allow the newly-named apprentice to greet his mentor, Yewshade... Who she politely dipped her head to before flashing the tabby and white tom a level stare. Ridgepaw was still her kit, no matter how old he would get... And she would be watching their progress.
Yewshade had gathered in his usual spot, his mismatched eyes clouded with thought as he groomed his messy chest. Yet, this was an unusual meeting. This time - his name was called and it snapped him into reality. He looked up immediately, confused, meeting Honeydew's gaze. It's my turn. He thought, turning to look at his newly named apprentice. A long-haired grey tabby tom - with bright, excited eyes.
A purr bubbled in his chest. It felt like yesterday it was his apprentice ceremony - in Starfall territory. Crookedlight had done his best despite the circumstances. No doubt he'd do the same, and he'd teach him everything he knew. Ridgepaw was going to be the best SkyClan warrior he had ever seen.
He rose to his paws, meeting Ridgepaw with a wide grin - yet dipping his head respectfully as he walked by Stoneheart. "Ridgepaw, congratulations!" He purred, touching noses with the tom. "Let's get your nest sorted in the apprentice's den, and then - if you're up to it - I can show you a little around our territory. You're going to love it!"
Ridegkit– no, Ridgepaw now– padded his way past his mother and towards Yewshade with wobbly, uncertain steps. He hated how nervous he felt, like bees were swarming inside of his chest… and Stoneheart’s gentle words did nothing to quell the swarm. He was beside himself with anticipation for the freedom and the adventure, finally being able to leave SkyClan’s camp and explore the forest as he had always dreamed… but there was no freedom in being a warrior. Not in the way that he wanted. “I’ll make you proud, Ma.” he mumbled as he passed her anyway, praying to StarClan he sounded more sure than he felt. That was all he really wanted, anyway… yet part of him wished he could run back with her into the safety of the nursery, stay cuddled to her side as he had his entire kithood.
That was no more now.
Yewshade’s enthusiasm only made the pit in Ridgepaw’s stomach grow deeper– he seemed nice enough, and if Honeydew believed he was his best fit… but Ridgepaw could not muster even a fraction of that excitement, his polite smile looking more and more like a grimace each passing second. “Yeah,” he muttered in faux agreement, his and Yewshade’s wet noses pressing together. “I’m gonna love it..”
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