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: Hickorypaw's Warrior Ceremony Tue 27 Aug 2024 - 22:10
The rain had stopped, and left the evening air almost pleasantly cool as Wolfstar leapt up to the tallbranch that overlooked Skyclan's camp. It had been some time since her conversation with Stormwatcher, and she was now confident that another apprentice was ready to earn their name.
"Let all cats old enough to climb a tree gather beneath the tallbranch for a clan meeting!" The leader knew she would not have to wait long for her clan to gather.
Hickorypaw dragged himself out of the apprentice den at his grandmother call for the clan to gather. A slight huff escaped his lips as he placed himself in front of tall branch. Discord: ChaoticCrow | Timezone: Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) | Code (c) Kieer
Wolfstar's gaze found her grandson in the crowd, and once enough others had gathered, the ceremony could be started. "Hickorypaw, step forward." She smiled at the apprentice, and once he'd stepped forward she spoke again. "Skyclan, Hickorypaw has trained hard to learn the code and the ways of a warrior, and I commend him to you now as a warrior in his turn. Hickorypaw, do you promise to provide for and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?" Over time the words she spoke had grown shorter and changed, but if anyone cared about the difference compared to the traditional ceremonial words they could get bent.
Hickorypaw walked towards his grandmother returning her smile with his own. His vibrant orange gaze held his grandmother’s soft blue gaze. Her words made his smile drop. He knew the words. He had heard them time and time again since his birth, but now that he had to answer them, there was a pit growing in his stomach. He looked over his shoulder back at Stormwatcher, then to Honeypaw and back to Wolfstar. He didn’t want to die for his clan, but his family was different. Why couldn’t he just pledge his loyalty to them. It would be so much easier even if he didn’t care for half his kin. He looked down at his paws, the tip of his tail twitching with anxiety. He was taking too long for sure.
Orange eyes stared up at blue ones, showing just how scared he was. He couldn’t hide it from his grandmother. A soft sigh escaped his maw. I…. I do.” Hickorypaw mewed so softly it was barely audible. Anxiety poured through his body as he spoke the words. He didn’t like the feeling but he pushed it down and forced a proud smile on his face as he turned to face Skyclan. His claws digging into the ground beneath him.
Blue eyes did not falter as Wolfstar watched Hickorypaw's response. He'd glanced back toward his mentor, to his sister... And when he finally spoke after a long moment of silence stretched between them she almost didn't hear him. But he had spoken, however softly. "Then I name you a warrior of Skyclan in your own right. From this day you shall be known as Hickorysmoke, and we honor your loyalty and courage." The leader leapt from the tallbranch, striding toward her grandson.
"I'm proud of you, Hickorysmoke." She mewed quietly, "Regardless of your bonds with individual cats, remember that Skyclan - family - is what matters." She stepped back to allow the rest of the clan to offer their congratulations.
---
"Hickorysmoke!" Honeypaw's voice was loud as she padded forward once Wolfstar had signaled the end of the ceremony, her tail held high as she pressed against her brother's pelt with a grin. "You deserve it, brother... I'll be following you soon enough, I hope."
Stormwatcher went over when the meeting was called. He sat quietly in the back not really wanting the attention that came with any sheeting further up.
When his sister announced hickorysmokes new name he felt conflicting feelings. His apprentice and him hardly got along at all but on the other paw he was still proud of him for becoming warrior, proud that he got another apprentice trained since blazepaw had died.
He felt very strange looking at the younger tom now. They were the same level now, no more ordering him about but also meant not having to be poked in the ribs each time hickory wanted out.
So many conflicting thoughts, overall he was happy though.
He gave a dip of his head to his former apprentice
