Post by Taxx on Nov 29, 2017 10:21:12 GMT -5
The Clan was gathering, crowding together in response to Hawkstar’s call. In front of the Rock Pile, flanked by their mentors, Smokepaw and Mistpaw sat, both twitching with excitement, close enough for their fur to touch. They waited while the tom explained the reason behind the summons, drawing the Clan’s attention to the young she-cats, and asked if they were both suited for the life of a warrior. The agreement came from both mentors, a bit more confidently from Smokepaw’s, and then they were called on to give their oath.
Strong and steady, Smokepaw swore; Mistpaw was a touch more hesitant, though she still promised. And then they were receiving their names. Mistpaw couldn’t deny the glow of warmth as she was raised from apprentice to warrior, welcoming her new name of Mistcloud, dipping her head to Hawkstar gratefully as she turned to sit at her mother’s side. She turned to watch Smokepaw, standing alone now- but not for long.
Good, Mistcloud had gotten her name first. Smokepaw had hoped Hawkstar would do so, to create as little a stir as possible. She’d been planning this for some time, and now, before the Clan’s leader could begin saying the ritual words for her, the gray-patched she-cat took a step forward, lifting her own voice. “Hawkstar? If I could- I’d like to make a request.”
Muttering rose from the assembled cats, a muted round of comments on her unexpected break in the ceremony. Even now, there was no guarantee that her request would be honored, but Hawkstar had never been the sort of force his will on others, and he’d at least hear her- and hopefully, give her what she wanted. What she needed.
Giving his assent, curiosity in his own eyes, Hawkstar waited for her to continue. “I’d like to choose my own name. I’d like to be called Smokestorm, in honor of my father.” There was no better way, in her own mind, to hold on to a part of him- claiming part of his name as her own would allow her to keep his memory alive.
Her sister’s sudden presence at her side startled Smokepaw, but she accepted the rasp of her tongue, half-trembling as she waited for her leader’s response. She knew he didn’t have to grant her request, knew that he could give her any other name. But she hoped. And gratitude washed away the nervousness as he conceded.
A purr rose from Mistcloud’s body, soon followed by Smokestorm’s, Side by side again, the two she-cats turned to face the Clan. Pride and a fierce sense of success- mostly for the reward of long moons of training but also for the smaller victory of being allowed to choose the name she would carry for the rest of her life- filled Smokestorm. Fur pressed together, the sisters stood tall as their names were called, mingled voices ringing loudly, welcoming the two to a new part of their lives.
“Mistcloud! Smokestorm! Mistcloud! Smokestorm!”
Strong and steady, Smokepaw swore; Mistpaw was a touch more hesitant, though she still promised. And then they were receiving their names. Mistpaw couldn’t deny the glow of warmth as she was raised from apprentice to warrior, welcoming her new name of Mistcloud, dipping her head to Hawkstar gratefully as she turned to sit at her mother’s side. She turned to watch Smokepaw, standing alone now- but not for long.
Good, Mistcloud had gotten her name first. Smokepaw had hoped Hawkstar would do so, to create as little a stir as possible. She’d been planning this for some time, and now, before the Clan’s leader could begin saying the ritual words for her, the gray-patched she-cat took a step forward, lifting her own voice. “Hawkstar? If I could- I’d like to make a request.”
Muttering rose from the assembled cats, a muted round of comments on her unexpected break in the ceremony. Even now, there was no guarantee that her request would be honored, but Hawkstar had never been the sort of force his will on others, and he’d at least hear her- and hopefully, give her what she wanted. What she needed.
Giving his assent, curiosity in his own eyes, Hawkstar waited for her to continue. “I’d like to choose my own name. I’d like to be called Smokestorm, in honor of my father.” There was no better way, in her own mind, to hold on to a part of him- claiming part of his name as her own would allow her to keep his memory alive.
Her sister’s sudden presence at her side startled Smokepaw, but she accepted the rasp of her tongue, half-trembling as she waited for her leader’s response. She knew he didn’t have to grant her request, knew that he could give her any other name. But she hoped. And gratitude washed away the nervousness as he conceded.
A purr rose from Mistcloud’s body, soon followed by Smokestorm’s, Side by side again, the two she-cats turned to face the Clan. Pride and a fierce sense of success- mostly for the reward of long moons of training but also for the smaller victory of being allowed to choose the name she would carry for the rest of her life- filled Smokestorm. Fur pressed together, the sisters stood tall as their names were called, mingled voices ringing loudly, welcoming the two to a new part of their lives.
“Mistcloud! Smokestorm! Mistcloud! Smokestorm!”