Post by BlooRey DVD on Jul 24, 2019 21:09:36 GMT -5
Hawkstar
may your dreams be larger than mountains
With a deep breath, Hawkstar cast his pale amber gaze out upon StoneClan's camp. From his vantage point on the Rock Pile, he could make out much of the Clan's goings-on, and there was plenty happening today. The pleasant warmth that had drifted in, a clear sign that Newleaf was receding and giving way to Greenleaf, had brought with it an indescribable energy for the Clan cats. Cats both young and old milled about, chattering among one another or reorganizing the fresh-kill pile. What he saw today was life. Beautiful, contented, and unhindered life. Any other day, and Hawkstar could have watched this for hours.
But today, he had something on his mind. Something he needed to do. Something he was beyond excited to do. He'd stood in this exact spot not all that long ago, and had done exactly what he was going to do today. And the warm blossom of pride he'd felt then in his chest had returned eagerly, leaving the tom to flick his tail with certainty and raise his muzzle. "Cats of StoneClan! Let all those old enough to scour the terrain for prey gather here beneath the Rock Pile for a Clan meeting!"
The familiar words rolled off his tongue with ease, and below him the Clan began to gather just as they had for moons now. His silvering muzzle surveyed the crowd as it grew in size, the same life he'd seen but moments ago congregating before the Rock Pile and glancing up at the StoneClan figurehead with curious eyes. Only one cat would know what was transpiring, and he met his mate's blue eyes with a small knowing smile. Today marks the day, my love. He thought to himself. The last of our children are making the final step.
"Snowpaw, please step forward." He waited for his youngest daughter to obey, easily finding her soft white coat among the spattering of others. He held her gaze a moment, standing just a little taller at seeing her now. She'd come so far from the frail white kit she'd once been. You'll always be my little girl, Snowpaw. He couldn't help but think. "Sorrelclaw has worked hard the last few moons, imparting on you her skills and experience. Your apprenticeship has not been without its hurdles, but you have proven yourself capable time and time again. As such, I, Hawkstar, leader of StoneClan, call upon our warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn."
He shifted his weight, old bones none too happy at holding one pose for extended periods. "Snowpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" He asked the words that so many had answered to in the past, his patient gaze meeting his daughter's once more. Now was a moment for him to fall silent, so that she could fill the quiet with her own voice.
And when Snowpaw did answer, her determination and surety clear even in the tilt of her muzzle, Hawkstar felt his heart flutter with kit-like excitement. "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Snowpaw, from this moment you will be known as Snowfeather. StarClan honors your spirit and your perseverance, and we welcome you as a full warrior of StoneClan." As he relinquished the spotlight, the Clan was quick to fill the silence with a unified chant of the newly-crowned warrior's name.
Hawkstar's voice joined the chant as he descended from the Rock Pile, big paws meeting the earth below as Clanmates began to offer the white she-cat their congratulations. Of course, upon seeing his approaching figure, they cleared a path. No one wanted to keep a proud father from his daughter, after all. Although he'd teasingly asked Minkfire if he could congratulate her the way he wanted when he'd named her, Hawkstar knew the two sisters were different in temperament. Without more than a purr of warning, the sand-colored tom leaned in and rasped his tongue over Snowfeather's ear before pressing his nose to her cheek.
"Congratulations, Snowfeather." He rumbled, his eyes shining with his words. "I have no words to express just how... How proud I am to see you here."
But today, he had something on his mind. Something he needed to do. Something he was beyond excited to do. He'd stood in this exact spot not all that long ago, and had done exactly what he was going to do today. And the warm blossom of pride he'd felt then in his chest had returned eagerly, leaving the tom to flick his tail with certainty and raise his muzzle. "Cats of StoneClan! Let all those old enough to scour the terrain for prey gather here beneath the Rock Pile for a Clan meeting!"
The familiar words rolled off his tongue with ease, and below him the Clan began to gather just as they had for moons now. His silvering muzzle surveyed the crowd as it grew in size, the same life he'd seen but moments ago congregating before the Rock Pile and glancing up at the StoneClan figurehead with curious eyes. Only one cat would know what was transpiring, and he met his mate's blue eyes with a small knowing smile. Today marks the day, my love. He thought to himself. The last of our children are making the final step.
"Snowpaw, please step forward." He waited for his youngest daughter to obey, easily finding her soft white coat among the spattering of others. He held her gaze a moment, standing just a little taller at seeing her now. She'd come so far from the frail white kit she'd once been. You'll always be my little girl, Snowpaw. He couldn't help but think. "Sorrelclaw has worked hard the last few moons, imparting on you her skills and experience. Your apprenticeship has not been without its hurdles, but you have proven yourself capable time and time again. As such, I, Hawkstar, leader of StoneClan, call upon our warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn."
He shifted his weight, old bones none too happy at holding one pose for extended periods. "Snowpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" He asked the words that so many had answered to in the past, his patient gaze meeting his daughter's once more. Now was a moment for him to fall silent, so that she could fill the quiet with her own voice.
And when Snowpaw did answer, her determination and surety clear even in the tilt of her muzzle, Hawkstar felt his heart flutter with kit-like excitement. "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Snowpaw, from this moment you will be known as Snowfeather. StarClan honors your spirit and your perseverance, and we welcome you as a full warrior of StoneClan." As he relinquished the spotlight, the Clan was quick to fill the silence with a unified chant of the newly-crowned warrior's name.
Hawkstar's voice joined the chant as he descended from the Rock Pile, big paws meeting the earth below as Clanmates began to offer the white she-cat their congratulations. Of course, upon seeing his approaching figure, they cleared a path. No one wanted to keep a proud father from his daughter, after all. Although he'd teasingly asked Minkfire if he could congratulate her the way he wanted when he'd named her, Hawkstar knew the two sisters were different in temperament. Without more than a purr of warning, the sand-colored tom leaned in and rasped his tongue over Snowfeather's ear before pressing his nose to her cheek.
"Congratulations, Snowfeather." He rumbled, his eyes shining with his words. "I have no words to express just how... How proud I am to see you here."
leader of stoneclan
and may you have the courage
to scale their summits
to scale their summits
Note: 109 moons
