Paint the Sky, Make it Yours (Warrior Ceremony) - Backdated
Jun 21, 2021 17:12:37 GMT -5
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Post by Ghost the Undead Goddess on Jun 21, 2021 17:12:37 GMT -5
The sun already rose above the horizon as dawn started to seep away into the mists of mid morning, the sky finally clear after the thunderstorm that shook the valley the previous night. The ground was still damp and wet, but it was hardly given a second notice as cats continued about their daily routines. There were noises of shifting felines from all the dens as they all awoke and stretched out within the comfort of their mossy nests.
The ever present figurehead of Lightningclan was perched upon the Hill Top, those wide amber hues of hers watching carefully like an alert owl. The wide ears atop her head swiveled to catch every small noise that they could, attentive to even the tiniest of those who lived under her care and compassion.
Shifting to relieve pressure from her shoulder, the old injury seemingly causing more issues the older she got though she promptly ignored it, the sleek gray she-cat turned her narrow face towards the familiar den of the apprentices. The young cats who would one day inherit Lightningclan as their own, to mold it in the way they had been taught and in the way they perceived the world once those of her age had long passed from the Valley.
Today, another she-cat would join the ever growing ranks of warriors. A defender of the weak, a hunter of prey and a racer along the moorlands that she called her homeland.
Owlstar could not be more proud of her growing clan, it thrived beneath her watch and even after her nine lives had passed to Starclan she was sure it would sustain and survive.
Just as it always had.
Flickering a long, thin tail, the elder leader of Lightningclan finally raised herself from the comfortable seated position she was in to stand tall. Her white tinged muzzle parted as her familiar sharp rasp was heard above the whispers of the wind. "All cats swift enough to race across the moors gather around the Hill Top for a clan meeting!" The words passed down upon generations rang proud from her chest as a sea of color flooded into the clearing.
Shifting her gaze, those wide amber hues watched with high observation at each movement and gait of her clanmates. Her loyal deputy, Nightrunner, made his way through the crowd like a shadowy cloud with a yawn parting his maw. Batear and Nightstep sat off on the side, her personally picked council to help aid the progression of Lightningclan, though Brightpool's position still unoccupied since her passing.
Once everyone was finally settled, Owlstar flicked an ear to calm to quiet murmurs from cat to cat as she gained their full attention. Almost in fashion to her namesake, it was if an elder raptor was staring down at the hundreds of wide eyes of owlets, waiting for her every word. Though, as every leader felt, the clan was her kin, so the similarity only fit too well.
"We continue to grow, to strive as we always have and today we welcome a new warrior among out ranks." The apprentice den had gotten quite stuffed over the last moon since the additions of Rosefire and Windspirit's litters had aged into their sixth moons. Many young paws to train and limited warriors with the skills to teach them.
Perhaps soon it would all even out, as even Sunnyheart's brood were growing older and more skilled in their abilities.
"Briarpaw, step forwards please." Owlstar continued in that familiar rasp of hers, nimble paws leading the aging queen down the Hill Top to meet the young she-cat head on. The widening of crystal blue hues set within the apprentice's face was enough to cause a faint flicker of amusement through the leader's lanky form as they greeted one another.
"You have waited some time for this moment and I apologize it has taken so long to happen. You are a bright young she-cat with a brilliant future ahead of you within the warrior's den of Lightningclan." Her gaze shifted from the cream and brown she-cat to where her lanky silver coated mentor stood nearby. "Silverburr was not always your mentor, but he has done a marvelous job honing your skills and improving your abilities."
Lifting her narrow nose towards the still blooming sky, Owlstar once again proceeded to speak. "I, Owlstar, leader of Lightingclan, call upon our warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code and I commend her as a warrior in turn." Wide, unreadable pools of thick amber turned to stare into the blue gaze of the younger molly before her.
"Briarpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, to protect and defend your clan even at the cost of your life?"
The words had been passed down for moons upon moons, Owlstar could remember standing there as the first Redstar stood there staring down at the gray pelted apprentice to award her a name within her twelfth moon. She had graduated from apprentice to warrior earlier than most, due to hard work and promising attitudes that came to the clan. Now the question was posed from her to the young Briarpaw before her.
"I do."
It was a quick statement, hardly any time wasted upon thinking what she should or should not do. For a moment, a glimmer of pride sprinkled across Owlstar's gaze before she continued with the ceremony. "Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior name. Briarpaw, from this moment you will be known as Briarsky. Starclan honors your positive attitude and keen curiosity, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Lightingclan."
Stepping forwards, Owlstar set her muzzle on top of Briarsky's head, acknowledging the small lick across her shoulder before stepping back and raising her tail to let the clan happily cheer the name of their newest warrior. Tonight she would complete her ceremony by standing vigil throughout the night, but today she could enjoy the newfound freedoms that came with her new rank.
OWLSTAR
lightningclan leader || 87 moons
1020 WORDS
