[ti]Open[/ti]Hereby, I Name You

[M'Lady]

She was exhausted. There was no room for even thoughts as she made her way to the High Ledge, where she perched as gracefully as a bird of prey should look. Eyes large and luminous, she gazed out upon her clan, trying to search her mind for what she had just been pondering earlier that day, but couldn't find the strand of thought. There was too much going on. Just so many apprentices, so many warriors, so many journeys and so many problems. She considered pawning off some of her duties to Roseblaze, but quickly dismissed the thought. She was with her young Beankit, and she and Sparrowcry were happy. The last thing Owlstar wanted to do was have her deputy end up like her, caring for the whole clan and not noticing if her loved ones were drifting away. 

She cleared her throat, and then called out, albeit not as loudly as she usually did. "May all cats old enough to scale the rock walls gather underneath the High Ledge for a clan meeting!" She shouted, and waited hardly a moment before she continued speaking. The important cats were here anyway, and she desperately wanted to get it over and done with so she could catch another patrol. Not like they'd leave without her, but still. 

"Our nursery and apprentice dens are getting too crowded, aren't they?" She suggested, with a twitch of her whiskers to show her clan her amusement. "We have many apprentices that have proven themselves, and many kits eager to get their shot! Wingedkit, Bluekit, Greenkit, Redkit, Mintkit, Aspenkit, Berrykit, and Rosekit! Please come forward!" She shouted, and then smiled when the eager little things came towards her.

"Wingedkit, you are an adventurous spirit despite the fact the sun troubles you. No matter, we are warriors of the moon! Maplespring out of all cats shares your enthusiasm, and I believe he will be a great mentor to you, Wingedpaw!" 

"Bluekit, you are not the first of my warriors to be troubled by sight, but you are certainly as spirited as any of them! Milkeyes, I am aware you have just finished training Asterpaw, but I can think of no better warrior to help Bluepaw reach her full potential!" 

"Greenkit, you are a kind tom, and more interesting than most, despite what you think. Dapplefur is exactly the cat that will help you rely more on your instincts, and trust in yourself, Greenpaw!"

"Redkit, you are the fieriest kit I've seen in the nursery since Rookheart caused all sorts of mischief!" She gave a soft chuckle, and a warm smile as she thought of the young warrior she had sent out on the journey. "I can think of no one better than said warriors mother, Olivenose, to teach you all that she knows! Good luck, Redpaw!" 

"Mintkit, you are incredibly loyal and excited to become the best warrior you can be! Longstride is much the same, and I believe he is the perfect mentor for you, Mintpaw!" 

"Aspenkit, you are very bright, and always so lovely to your clanmates! Heronflight has always been much the same way, and I believe that she, Aspenpaw, will be able to help you on your journey to being a proud warrior of the clan!" 

"Berrykit, you are already such a fiercely kind she-cat in the nursery, I can't imagine how amazing you will be as a warrior! Plumshade will have much to teach you, Berrypaw, and I believe in turn you have much to teach her!"

"Rosekit, you are a curious she-cat. Fortunately, I know of a cat who has already asked all the questions you surely will. Cricketjump, you have come a long way, and I know that this time, you'll be the one giving all the answers to Rosepaw!"

She paused for a moment as she finished most of the new apprentices, before glancing down at Violetkit. She'd never had a warrior that couldn't hear. Blindness hadn't been so much of an issue. What you lack in sight has always been made up in hearing. But if one couldn't hear? Their line of attention only focused on what they could see. They couldn't teach them as easily, they couldn't even explain how clans worked. How was she to give the sweet young thing her name if she couldn't hear it? Owlstar didn't speak for a moment, the cheers of new names drowning out around her. She had an inkling of an idea, but she would wait until the ceremony had ended before voicing it. 

She cleared her throat again, and the clan fell silent. 

"Asterpaw, Sunnypaw, Stormypaw, Lilypaw, Tigerpaw, and Aloepaw, please come forward." She smiled faintly as they jumbled up before her, a reminder of when she herself had come up, tripping over her own paws. She hadn't been nearly as graceful back then. 

"Asterpaw," She began, yellow eyes glowing with the warmth of the sun up above them. "You've always been so smart, so ambitious. You've always been destined to do great things in this clan. It's always great to be focused on all around you, but never forget to dream, to hope, to believe. Reach for the stars and your ancestors will smile down upon you. I name you Asterwish, so you may never forget this." 

"Sunnypaw. As your name dictates, you've always been so bright and thoughtful to your clanmates, always around to extend a helping paw and to assist your fellow apprentices whenever it's needed. Your name shall be Sunnyday, in hopes that from now on, wherever you go, you'll shine just as brightly as the sun in the middle of greenleaf, and bring that joy to your clanmates around you."

"Stormypaw. With every shining day, there is a cool and much appreciated night. You are loyal and kind, and have always striven to be there for those that need you, no matter what, no matter when. You are the rain when the land is dry and cracked, and the storm when leaves turn yellow. Our clan needs you just as our home needs water. I name you Stormynight, with hopes you will always be there for us in the end."

"Lilypaw, despite what our world has given you, you have never let it for one moment bring you down. You have been everything I could've possibly asked for in an apprentice, and I'm incredibly proud to finally name you a warrior. For your courage and your shining outlook on life, I name you Lilydawn. May you bring us a brand new era of warriors with the same dedication as yours." 

"Tigerpaw, you are a charming, loyal apprentice of the likes I've hardly seen. I'm told you run as fast as the wind, and your stripes are a blur. Our enemies shall never see you coming! For this skill, I name you Tigerbreeze, never stop running towards the amazing future you will help create." 

"Aloepaw, for as long as you've been a member of Ivyclan, you have always tried to do the right thing. You follow your heart, no matter what it says, and you aren't afraid to declare your beliefs. Your mind is swift and your steps are adventurous, and for this I name you Aloestream. Always carve out your own path, and don't be scared to walk it." 


She waited as the new names were shouted and cheered, but Owlstar wasn't finished yet. She had furnished and ironed out her idea, and believed it was fully the way to go. She didn't want any kit of Ivyclan to miss out on a chance to be the best warrior they could be, and so she saved this part for last. 

"May I have your attention for just one more moment, before you may celebrate with your families and our new warriors keep guard for us this night. Violetkit," She waited for a moment as someone inevitably would either herd the sweet girl over, or at least gesture in her direction. She kept her features soft and warm, even if she couldn't hear her. She would make sure she had an adventure, and there was only one way she could guarantee her participation. She and Bluepaw were rather close, weren't they? 
"In the eyes of our warrior ancestors, I name you Violetpaw. Ravenbright, even if she can be rather talkative," She cast a glance towards the she-cat in amusement. "Is one of the most dedicated cats that I know. If you can believe it, she shows more in her actions than in her words, and I am certain she will train you to be the best warrior you could possibly be. Ravenbright, if you would be so kind, I'd like to make a request that you work with Milkeyes, and train your new apprentices together to be the best hunters, the best warriors, that this clan needs. They are rather inseparable, you see, and I would like to be the last cat that would tear them apart." This last add on was laced with her amusement, and then she nodded, and stepped back. 



"Welcome, new apprentices and warriors of Ivyclan! Serve us well!"

[gingersnapsdacat]

Dapplefur
Dapplefur had been quite distracted as of late, and understandably so. With the discovery of her sister's kittens, and the awkwardness of approaching the family she never knew, her mind had been jumbled. So much so that until hearing her name spoken from the highrock, the colorful warrior had no idea that a clan meeting was even being called. 
"Im getting an apprentice?" she said quietly. 
Pull yourself together!
With purpose, she strode over to meet the kitten that she would train. Which one was it? Greenpaw.....Greenpaw...oh StarClan. I'm training OwlStar's grand-kit!
She faltered for just a moment as the thought sunk in. 
I can use this...any kin of OwlStar is bound to be fluffy...ah! There he is!
In moments, she had deduced which apprentice she was meant to be training. Nice and fluffy, just as she thought. 
"Um...hi."


Heronflight

The very second the meeting was called, Heronflight was sitting up near the front of the crowd, eager to see the next generation of warriors, and apprentices. Secretly, she did this in the hopes that one day, OwlStar would notice her attentiveness, and allow her to mentor one of the rising apprentices. 
Wingedpaw with Maplespring; okay, I see it. Bluepaw with Milkeyes; no surprise there. Greenpaw with Dapplefur; makes sense. Redpaw and Olivenose. Mintpaw and Longstride; interesting. Aspenaw with....me?!
Heronflight leaped to her paws. Had she heard OwlStar correctly? 
"Aspenkit, you are very bright, and always so lovely to your clanmates! Heronflight has always been much the same way, and I believe that she, Aspenpaw, will be able to help you on your journey to being a proud warrior of the clan!"
She had! 
Heronflight paced over to where the newly named apprentices were waiting, and touched noses to Asterpaw. "This is going to be amazing," she promised. 


Aspenkit M'Lady

[mewmehh]

The silken curls of Wingedkit flounced with vigor and excitement beneath the paws of her mother and father as the pair preened their massive brood for their special day. Wingedkit had at least been a helping set of paws, having managed to groom out the majority of her pelt while Longwing struggled with Violetkit and Rosekit's curly pelts, and Blossompool tended to the other color-named kits who she mothers as well. It was up to the helpful little Wingedkit to tug loose the gnarls from her brother's wild pelt.

As Owlstar's words had yanked them from their focus, the good parents of the seven youngsters rounded up their kit and urged them towards the gathering cats. Little paws and tail wiggled and vibrated with glee as they ever-so-patiently awaited their turns.

The snowy kit almost squealed happily as Owlstar called out her name; she would be the first of her litter to be named an apprentice! She had won her own little victory, she believed. Beaming brightly up at the elegant leader, Wingedkit became Wingedpaw and a young warrior tom named Maplewping had been named her mentor. Eagerly, she touched noses with the warrior and purred giddily in excitement. It was a wonderful day, knwoing that she would be a warrior! Despite her coaxing mother and father, a little worm of worry had worked itself into her belly, a thought that she would be stuck in camp as a medicine cat's apprentice or the like due to her aversion to the sun. Blast that sun she had cursed many a time, but alas! She had beaten even the sun, and her new name shown it.

---

As Owlstar summoned the clan and many gathered 'round, Aloepaw sat in a shifting position near the back. She knew her name would be among the ones forever altered as true warriors of Ivyclan, the fighters and defenders of their home. And yet, no hints of excitement lit up her pelt like the rest of her denmate. Instead an itch niggle at the back of her head; an irritating glimpse of anxiety at the thought of her duty now defined by how hard she could hit, how much blood she could pull from her enemies. It was a horrifying notion.

With starlight eyes fixed to the smoky queen, Aloepaw sagged in her pale fur, listening with curled ears flattened weakly against her head. She gave reluctant cheers to her peers who wore their new names proudly, and when her time arrived, she too stood and approached the front like the others had.

"You follow your heart, no matter what it says..."

I always do. My beliefs are all I have here, but...

"Your mind is swift...

If only swifter!

"Your steps are adventurous..."

They aren't though! I'm afraid!!

"I name you Aloestream."

N-no! No no, you can't!

"Always carve out your own path, and don't be scared to walk it."

B-but I am afraid!! I am afraid!!

And yet, the young she-cat bent her head in honor, in silence. She heard her new name ring out in the many voices of her clanmates and small, bitter tears welled up in her eyes, hidden away from everyone. Without a word, she returned to her seat, patiently waiting with a trembling heart for the rest of the ceremony to finish and release her from her clanly restraints.

---

As the ceremonies came to a close, Wingedpaw had zipped over to Violetpaw's side, pressing into her curly flank affectionately as did the rest of their large family.

"My kits! Look at you all!" Longwing purred blithely, loud and dramatic as he doted over the new apprentices. Odd eyes glittered fondly as he turned from his chattering offspring to meet Blossompool's eyes, a look of pure elation in his glittering pools of turquoise and gold. How would he ever be able to repay her for raising such lovely kits? He wasn't sure yet, but he knew that he would forever be indebted to the brown queen. What she'd want, he'd do his best to provide. Starclan permitting, he'd give the queen the world.

[Miss Tactical]

Blossompool very carefully groomed each of the kits, and was greatful to have Wingedkits help. She was such a good helper. She loved her kits very much so and felt a slight pain knowing that they would be out of the nursery and off on their own adventure. "Now, When Owlstar calls your mentor you go touch noses with them. Make sure to make eye contact don't avert their gaze it shows insecurity." She gave each of her kits a small lecture, their path would be determined by their own choices now. She could only hope that she taught each of them well. When Owlstar called them up one by one, she held her head high, even if some of her kits were adopted and not her own, she raised them and was incredibly proud.

After the ceremonies were over she watched the kits go off to meet their mentors, and more than likely find their own bedding for their new nests. She looked over her shoulder, to the empty nursery. Lavendersong was still in their but only for another moon or so, and then her kits would be apprentices. Her blue eyes looked down at her paws, rather upset she had no more kits to raise. Soon her first litter would be warriors and completely independent. She felt a slight pain in her heart. She looked at Longwing, her eyes sparkling. "Our kits are apprentices now. Goodness how they've grown...." She mewed eyeing each one of them. They each were their own cats now, they had flown from the nest.

"Now it seems....so empty...I'm going to stay in the nursery just in case more lost kits are found..." The one thing Blossompool enjoyed was being a mother, and she wasn't pleased with the fact that she had no more scolding to do, or no more grooming to do. It was just her. She decided the best place to stay would be the nursery with Lavendersong.

---

Tigerpaw sat poised as he looked at all the kits becoming apprentices, goodness IvyClan was incredibly strong. Growing stronger by the day. His mind wandered briefly to a MistClan apprentice who he had been meeting at the border rather frequently. Soon Owlstar broke his trance giving him his new name. Tigerbreeze..... He gave a firm nod. He liked it. He trotted away, head held high moving towards the back of the group. Once everyone cleared out he would go on a hunting patrol, perhaps go see Featherpaw as well.

---

Mintpaw snorted when he felt the roughness of his mothers tongue against his pelt. He scowled slightly green eyes narrowed. Soon his mother wouldnt be able to hold him hostage like this. Soon he could have a messy pelt, or a twig or leaf stuck in his fur, and there was nothing his mom could do about it. When his name was called he trotted away from his mothers grasp and stood up, nose pointed to the air. When his mentor was called he looked around, and soon his ears flattened against his head. His mentor was that coo-coo bird? He took a nervous gulp before reluctantly padding over. This is what he got for trying to escape from his mom, and now part of him wished he was back in the nursery.

---

When Ravenbright heard her name called, the black ball of energy ran at high speed.She knew Violetkit was deaf, but maybe if she yelled REALLY loud Violetkit would hear her. She cleared her throat slightly and took in a deep breath. "H-I V-I-O-L-E-T-P-A-W" She said each word VERY slowly. Pleased with how this was going thus far, she lowered her nose giving Violetpaw a gentle boop. She was excited to have an apprentice. That and she would still be able to train with Bluekit! How great was that! The fluffy black she-cat's eyes beamed brightly before her tail touched her new apprentices shoulder. This would be so much fun!

[mewmehh]

Blossompool's forlorn look had caught Longwing's eye and almost in an instant, the feeling had infected him, his own beaming smile dropping a bit. It was easy for the tom to be affected by how the she-cat was feeling; after working hard to raise a bunch of kits together, Longwing felt as he and Blossompool were a team. And a team felt everything as one. Realization of her words overtook him, helping to empower the empty feeling the queen was likely suffering through and the warrior felt his own heart deflate at the thought. It was true; there wouldn't be any more wrestling sessions or story-telling. No more afternoons spent grooming downy pelts and crooning over sleepy bundles late into the evening. He had never thought about it before, but it was definitely something he was going to miss dearly.

In a gentle motion, the tall warrior was beside the brown she-cat and he tenderly touched the crown of her head with his chin. His heart was heavy, but it was too happy a day for the two of them to stay in such a mood. "I know," he cooed gently, lightly chuckling at the insinuation of more kits being dropped upon her nest. It was almost comical how the queen had ended up with so many to look after. But then, if that was the norm for someone, of course it would be a somber and empty feeling without the bustling lot. And the idea of Blossompool staying in the Nursery, all by her lonesome, didn't help the churning feeling in Longwing's belly. An idea spark in him, and it made him gulp. Would he dare make such a proposal? How would she respond? Would Blossompool think he were pitying her? The last thing Longwing wanted to do was be like Kinktail in the queen's eyes. But...perhaps it was something he wanted. Would that make it any better-sounding?

Nudging Blossompool's soft cheek with his own angular face, he guided the queen a few steps away from the hustle and bustle of the crowd and offered a little purr. "That would be some sort of luck you'd have, ending up with a bunch of stray kittens," he started easily, but soon found his voice a little lost and throat constricted. "B-but what if....they were yours? A-and mine...erm..." He cleared his throat unceremoniously, a flustered look plastered upon his delicate features.

[foggy]

♚♚♚♚♚♚♚♚♚♚♚

Though her fluffy white fur still held traces of moss within its long tresses, the queen padded out of the nursery with her head held high. The current ceremonies reminded her that her own kits were soon due to become apprentices, only two more moons. Though their lives had just gotten more complicated, Lavendersong wasn't sure how much they knew of their father through him, but as far as she was concerned, Rushfeather was just a kind, funny tom from another clan that had taken an interest in them. She couldn't imagine the thought of him announcing to them that he was their father and taking them away to Mistclan to live with the rest of their family.

No, she wouldn't allow those thoughts to consume her. She turned her attention back to the ceremonies, taking a particular interest in Aloepaw's. Her cousin's parents were still incredibly young when Lavender's parents died so she didn't form a strong bond with the remainder of her family, but watched with mild interest as their love story was created and ended, with her much younger cousin being thrown into the life of an orphan, much like she was. They weren't close themselves, but it didn't escape her notice that they understood the pain of being brought up without parents and how difficult it was to make your way through the clan without that support system. She hoped Aloestream had missed out on the insecurities that had plagued her throughout her younger years.

--------

Kestrelpaw called out the names of everyone with vigour, her tail twitching. Ceremonies were always exciting, they took her back to when she became an apprentice two moons ago, the sound of the clan shouting her name made her feel so important and empowered. It was intoxicating, and she wanted the new apprentices to feel that too. Hopefully, Racoonmask would let her train with some of them later, show them the basics. She wasn't so sure on how she was supposed to talk to Violetpaw, though, maybe she'd have to ask someone just be sure that she wasn't accidently rude or anything. That would be the worst thing imaginable.

The torbie couldn't stifle her gasp when her mother's name was called out to mentor Redpaw. Compared to her time in the nursery, it felt like she barely saw her mother now - their warrior and apprentice duties often kept them apart, and although she liked her older brother, mom was better. Maybe, she could convince Racoonmask to let her train with Redpaw mainly, that way both of them could see their mother, and get training done at the same time. It was a win-win situation. Her amber eyes landed upon the bright ginger apprentice, aiming to memorize him the most, if her plan was going to work, they'd be together a lot.

[chickenbatnana]

Violetkit sat in the nursery. The whole day, mama had been making her and her siblings look pretty. That was hard, considering her curly coat which seemed to be growing longer every day. While she didn't understand why mama was doing this, Violetkit liked looking pretty, so she was fine with it all. It did bother her a bit that she hadn't cuddled with Bluekit because of all the fuzz, but she would be able to do that later, in the evening. Looking around, she saw mama and the others sitting in the opening of the nursery, looking at something. Curiously she hopped over, only to see they were looking at a huge crowd of cats in the clearing, all facing Owlstar. What was happening? Why were they all gathering? A slightly panicky look formed on her face.

Out of nowhere, someone behind her pushed Violetkit into the crowd. She was quick to regain balance, but at this point all the curly hairs on her back were standing up. In front of her, stood a she-cat she'd only seen walking around in camp sometime. She mouthed some things very slowly, by now Violetkit had found out cats talk with their mouths, but this only made matters more confusing! Carefully, she backed off into the crowd, but the she-cat booped her nose! Violetkit let out an incoherent small mew, before running back to Blossompool, her expression now being one of pure terror.

[Miss Tactical]

Blossompool felt comfortable with Longwing, after all they had raised many kits together. Although they weren't mates they were still close. She protected those kits with such ferocity she had even scared off a kitty pet. She was incredibly proud of that moment. She puffed out her chest, those were her kits, just like Cicadapaw, Goospaw and Honeypaw were kits as well and she would protect them just as she did her last group of kits who were now apprentices. Longwings words hit her ears and she lay them flat looking up at the tom. Was he pittying her? She narrowed her eyes slightly tilting her head to the side. No...she didn't think so. Her eyes softened slightly her nose hitting her flank. "That...that sounds nice." She mewed to the younger warrior.

However it was Violetkit who came running into her fur, she looked at Ravenbright flicking the tip of her tail to beckon the black she-cat over."It is okay Violetkir." She knew that Violetkit couldn't hear but they had other ways of communicating. The brown she-cat took her tail running it down the apprentices back slowly. She dropped into a light crouch before nodding to Ravenbright giving the apprentice a light nudge with her nose. She stood up, sitting next to the black warrior, her eyes sparkling brightly beckoning the apprentice with a slight flick of her tail. "She will be hard work Ravenbright, you will need to figure out how to communicate. It won't be easy." She mewed to the black warrior.

[mewmehh]

His face a fiery blush, it took his daughter's startled squeals to pull Longwing back to his senses. In one fell swoop, the large tom was at Violetpaw's side, tucking his face close to hers as it seemed Blossompool was doing the same on the opposite side. As a team, they squished their little daughter into a safety sandwich. It appeared that Ravenbright had spooked her just a bit and the warrior felt his tummy tickle uneasily. I hope she can get used to cats other than her kin; I'd had for Violetpaw to live out the rest of her life scared." He gave a deep, rumbling purr and rasped his tongue over the top of her ginger and white head affectionately before turning his gaze to the two she-cats.

As Blossompool moved over next to the younger black warrior, Longwing nodded lightly and stepped away a bit as he took notice of the queen's gentle urging. The father gave Violetpaw a little encouraging flick from the tip of his soft tail as he settled down to a seated position, his watchful eyes pinned to the apprentice.

Not too far from her kinmates, Wingedpaw cooed and chittered with Beamkit as Lavendersong's white daughter had sprung up from her seat with her own family. The two girls, despite their personalities of water and oil, were very close and the prospect of being separated by dens and by duty had the younger kitten in tears.

"Wiiiiiingedkiiiiiit!!! You c-can't leave meeeeee!" Beamkit sobbed, her large eyes puffy and swollen.

"Aww I won't be leaving you," Wingedpaw crooned with a giggling smile, unable to help it as she took in Beamkit's graceless crying. "I'll just be a few dens over. We will be able to when I don't have training and you'll still have Blizzardkit, Bloomkit, and Burningkit with you in the Nursery. I'm sure they'll play with you lots." This only fueled a louder explosion of sobs, and the albino she-cat shot Blizzardkit and the rest of their family a quick look of help! Among them, he took notice of an unfamiliar dark tom with a scent she couldn't place. Longwing had told her that it was Beamkit's father from Mistclan who had come to live with his kits, but Wingedpaw was a little skeptical, especially since it didn't seem Beamkit was all too keen on having him around.

[Longstride]

Mintpaw had most certainly be paired with the coo-coo bird. Longstride had been sitting among the crowd, watching the proceedings with a quiet smile. It was rather fun watching all the kits become apprentices and apprentice graduate to warrior. It had been sometime since he himself had been so young, though he could remember the moment vividly. As a rogue he didn't hold the same awe and excitement as the clan bred kits. But he certainly found a great deal of entertainment out of it. He'd had to work twice as hard as everyone else. Being an outsider he had to prove himself and learn the ways of the clan. Ways taught to the kits as soon as they were able to understand such concepts. He had been behind, but he hadn't been for long.

Fighting had come naturally to him. He'd had to fight to survive even at such a young age. Blood and death were no stranger to the lengthy feline. Yes. In the short time he had lived he had witnessed more violence than many of the warrior had. But that is another story. Today Longstride found his own name being called. Paired with the newly called apprentice Mintpaw. The tall cat stood, towering over the others as he slipped to the front, a crooked grin upon his face.

Well this was interesting. He hadn't figured old Owlie would give him an apprentice. What with his odd nature and dangerous quirks. But the she-cat had indeed just called out his name. His grin grew when he saw his dejected apprentice approach as the came to the front of the group. Was he really such a let down? He half expected the kiddo to run off to his mommy. But he didn't. Long cocked his head at the apprentice. Oh, he'd whip this one into shape. The willy feline had more than a few tricks he could pass onto his new apprentice. If he survived long enough to learn them, that is. He lowered his head, offering his nose to the smaller cat. "I'll's tries not to gets us inta too much troubles, that I will." he said in a tone so low only Mint could hear as he offered a wink.

Miss Tactical