Post by M'Lady on Feb 4, 2019 2:48:51 GMT
On this leafbare day, where the snow had just slightly melted and the sun shone bright in the sky, cats were hustling about the camp with high spirits and cheerful smiles. The breeze was warmer, carrying with it the scent of rain rather than snow. Though they weren't out of the woods yet, it seemed like Starclan had granted them a day where they could get much done without being chilled down to their very bones. Owlstar was already delicately settled upon her perch over the clan, luminous yellow eyes flickering as bright as the sunlight that lit up the world around them, her quiet power radiating through the clearing. There was an odd feeling in her chest. It felt almost like nostalgia? Sadness? Or perhaps even, a grim sort of acceptance. As if she'd seen her fate, and knew there was only a matter of time left before it was snipped away. Despite this, a faint smile was on her face, as she called over the noisy hustle and bustle of her clan.
"May all cats old enough to climb the rock face gather underneath the High Ledge for a clan meeting!" Her voice was clear and true, the same as the day she jumped up her for the first time and named it for her clan, if not a little more tired than it used to be. She waited a moment as they all gathered together and quieted down, before she spoke.
"We have almost made it through another leafbare! The prey will soon again be running fast, and our warriors will grow up strong and healthy as always." She hummed, tilting her head so slightly to the side. "But I want some apprentices for when that day comes! Hickorykit, Drizzlekit, Sprigkit, Leopardkit, Rootkit, and Chervilkit, please step forward!" They bounded forward, away from their parents, some excited and some looking rather nervous. She greeted them all with the same warm smile she greeted every kit with. How many times has she done this now? She would place them in the good paws of her warriors.
"Hickorykit, though shy, I've noticed that you're always the first one to volunteer if anyone in the camp needs help. I intend to give you a mentor with the same level of enthusiasm, that will hopefully help you grow into the warrior you're meant to be, Hickorypaw! Cricketjump, I'm counting on you!"
"Drizzlekit, I've seen the mischief you get up to, but the way you look out for your denmates is something to be admired." She knew Prancekit thought very highly of him, at the very least. "Drizzlepaw, I believe Aloestream shares the same ideals, and will be an excellent mentor to you."
"Sprigkit, I can only think of one cat that will be an amazing mentor to you! Sunfur is a kind warrior, who doesn't let her patience be seen as weakness! Sprigpaw, you'll be able to grow your strengths as you apprentice with her, learn all you can!"
"Leopardkit, I see a fire inside of you that I've only seen rarely in a kit of the clan. I believe that you'll strive to be the best warrior you can be! Moorwhisker mentored your father well, and I believe that he can do the same for you, Leopardpaw!"
"Rootkit, though you are caring and protective, I believe that you can learn much more about being outspoken and fierce to defend your beloved clanmates! Firechaser has long been a bold defender of our clan, and he will teach you well, Rootpaw!"
"Chervilkit, though still young, I cannot believe how resilient you've become! A quality that's very much needed for a warrior, though I still know that you can learn much from Mintnose! He is an exemplary warrior, and can teach you much more about being a loyal member of Ivyclan, Chervilpaw!"
She paused for a moment as her clan cheered, trying to ignore the feeling that twisted her heart. It was a strange emotion, almost panicked. As if she had to finish things as quick as possible or her breath would be cut off before she could. Time seemed much shorter right now, in this moment. She wondered if it was.
"But we aren't finished yet, there are still warriors to be named!" The clan quieted down, and Owlstar tried to not let her anxious emotions show through her smile.
"Fawnpaw, Deerpaw, come forth!"
"Fawnpaw, though quiet, you've shown a remarkable ability to see all that happens around you, from a mouse's skittered tracks to a warrior sneaking up from tail lengths downwind. Even specks of sand glittering in the sunlight. For all of your incredible talents, and for how amazing your tendency to work well with your clanmates, I name you Fawndust. Never take your eyes off the beautiful world around you."
"Deerpaw, I've never seen an apprentice that can both be so passionate about the warrior code, but also ready at a moment's notice to throw it aside for the safety of your clanmates. Your enthusiasm seems boundless, and you greet every day with a bright attitude that catches on every member of your patrols. For this lovely optimism and care, I name you Deerskip. Keep walking the path your choose to follow."
Her clan cheered for the new warriors, and Owlstar readied herself to retreat to her den in hopes this anxiety of hers would fade away, before she paused in her step. Was this why she felt like she still had something she needed to do? Was something whispering in her ear to remind her of a warrior's heart that had not yet been recognized? Owlstar cleared her throat, and her clan quieted, looking up at her in curiosity.
"It seems I'm not yet done, today." Yellow eyes glittered akin to the fading rays of golden sunlight before dusk. "I call forward another apprentice to name a warrior, in honor of her ferocious bravery in a recent border fight, who showed that even our young warriors can battle with the claws of Tigerclan and the heart of lions." She glanced over briefly to Mudjaw. Had it been that long since she recognized an apprentice for such a feat? She shot a small smile at her prized warrior before turning back to the apprentice. Perhaps she would turn out the same? She hoped so, with Owlstar's clear blessing placed upon her in the form of a new name.
"Cowpaw, I am immensely proud to name you today as one of my warriors. You deserve to be recognized and cheered for by the whole clan for your feat, however big or small you believe it is. Defending your clanmates should be second nature to every one of you, but to fearlessly throw yourself into the fray at that age, not for the glory of battle, but out of pure love for your clanmate? That is something that should be treasured by our clan. For this, I name you Cowlily. Continue to make us proud, my warrior."
And once again, they erupted into cheers. And Owlstar smiled, and rose her muzzle to the sky where Silverpelt lay hidden. And her chest tightened further, warning her of little time left.
"May all cats old enough to climb the rock face gather underneath the High Ledge for a clan meeting!" Her voice was clear and true, the same as the day she jumped up her for the first time and named it for her clan, if not a little more tired than it used to be. She waited a moment as they all gathered together and quieted down, before she spoke.
"We have almost made it through another leafbare! The prey will soon again be running fast, and our warriors will grow up strong and healthy as always." She hummed, tilting her head so slightly to the side. "But I want some apprentices for when that day comes! Hickorykit, Drizzlekit, Sprigkit, Leopardkit, Rootkit, and Chervilkit, please step forward!" They bounded forward, away from their parents, some excited and some looking rather nervous. She greeted them all with the same warm smile she greeted every kit with. How many times has she done this now? She would place them in the good paws of her warriors.
"Hickorykit, though shy, I've noticed that you're always the first one to volunteer if anyone in the camp needs help. I intend to give you a mentor with the same level of enthusiasm, that will hopefully help you grow into the warrior you're meant to be, Hickorypaw! Cricketjump, I'm counting on you!"
"Drizzlekit, I've seen the mischief you get up to, but the way you look out for your denmates is something to be admired." She knew Prancekit thought very highly of him, at the very least. "Drizzlepaw, I believe Aloestream shares the same ideals, and will be an excellent mentor to you."
"Sprigkit, I can only think of one cat that will be an amazing mentor to you! Sunfur is a kind warrior, who doesn't let her patience be seen as weakness! Sprigpaw, you'll be able to grow your strengths as you apprentice with her, learn all you can!"
"Leopardkit, I see a fire inside of you that I've only seen rarely in a kit of the clan. I believe that you'll strive to be the best warrior you can be! Moorwhisker mentored your father well, and I believe that he can do the same for you, Leopardpaw!"
"Rootkit, though you are caring and protective, I believe that you can learn much more about being outspoken and fierce to defend your beloved clanmates! Firechaser has long been a bold defender of our clan, and he will teach you well, Rootpaw!"
"Chervilkit, though still young, I cannot believe how resilient you've become! A quality that's very much needed for a warrior, though I still know that you can learn much from Mintnose! He is an exemplary warrior, and can teach you much more about being a loyal member of Ivyclan, Chervilpaw!"
She paused for a moment as her clan cheered, trying to ignore the feeling that twisted her heart. It was a strange emotion, almost panicked. As if she had to finish things as quick as possible or her breath would be cut off before she could. Time seemed much shorter right now, in this moment. She wondered if it was.
"But we aren't finished yet, there are still warriors to be named!" The clan quieted down, and Owlstar tried to not let her anxious emotions show through her smile.
"Fawnpaw, Deerpaw, come forth!"
"Fawnpaw, though quiet, you've shown a remarkable ability to see all that happens around you, from a mouse's skittered tracks to a warrior sneaking up from tail lengths downwind. Even specks of sand glittering in the sunlight. For all of your incredible talents, and for how amazing your tendency to work well with your clanmates, I name you Fawndust. Never take your eyes off the beautiful world around you."
"Deerpaw, I've never seen an apprentice that can both be so passionate about the warrior code, but also ready at a moment's notice to throw it aside for the safety of your clanmates. Your enthusiasm seems boundless, and you greet every day with a bright attitude that catches on every member of your patrols. For this lovely optimism and care, I name you Deerskip. Keep walking the path your choose to follow."
Her clan cheered for the new warriors, and Owlstar readied herself to retreat to her den in hopes this anxiety of hers would fade away, before she paused in her step. Was this why she felt like she still had something she needed to do? Was something whispering in her ear to remind her of a warrior's heart that had not yet been recognized? Owlstar cleared her throat, and her clan quieted, looking up at her in curiosity.
"It seems I'm not yet done, today." Yellow eyes glittered akin to the fading rays of golden sunlight before dusk. "I call forward another apprentice to name a warrior, in honor of her ferocious bravery in a recent border fight, who showed that even our young warriors can battle with the claws of Tigerclan and the heart of lions." She glanced over briefly to Mudjaw. Had it been that long since she recognized an apprentice for such a feat? She shot a small smile at her prized warrior before turning back to the apprentice. Perhaps she would turn out the same? She hoped so, with Owlstar's clear blessing placed upon her in the form of a new name.
"Cowpaw, I am immensely proud to name you today as one of my warriors. You deserve to be recognized and cheered for by the whole clan for your feat, however big or small you believe it is. Defending your clanmates should be second nature to every one of you, but to fearlessly throw yourself into the fray at that age, not for the glory of battle, but out of pure love for your clanmate? That is something that should be treasured by our clan. For this, I name you Cowlily. Continue to make us proud, my warrior."
And once again, they erupted into cheers. And Owlstar smiled, and rose her muzzle to the sky where Silverpelt lay hidden. And her chest tightened further, warning her of little time left.