[ti]Open[/ti]Someones Purpose

[M'Lady]

Rookstar wasn't feeling well. Ha, that was no surprise. The leader had been wincing and snappy to each and every one of his warriors. He had better days, of course, but today was one of his worse, and so he grumbled to his five (FIVE) deputies that someone had better take care of the ceremonies this moon. Firechaser, the senior of the lot, had immediately assumed the role. He had told the others quietly that he would handle it, perhaps it would go along better for the clan to see one of their older warriors at the head, a moment of calm in the storm that was their leadership. Not that he didn't trust the rest, (even though they were so young), but he made the decision it would be best, and though they were technically all deputies, he knew he was above the lot in moons and moons of experience. 

So the fiery tom leaped up to the ledge in which leaders would sit. Well, two leaders. Her majesty Owlstar, and this new ruffian Rookstar. He wondered if he would ever measure up to the previous leader. He had his own reservations about the smoky queen, but she'd been brave and was to be respected, much unlike the new tom that was driving them all mad. He cleared his throat, and then shouted the address she had created in his deep tones. It sounded so unnatural in his maw. 

"May all cats old enough to climb the rock face gather underneath the High Ledge for a clan meeting!" So odd, but his fiery yellow eyes blazed as the clan gathered underneath him in answer to his words. He shifted his paws, and then coughed to gain their attention over the confused murmurs. 

"Rookstar is unwell, and has asked his deputies," He said the word with disdain. "To take care of this moons ceremonies. As the senior warrior, I took this task upon myself." It made sense, he doubted anyone would be angry over it. His voice was cool and stern, but held with it an air of authority. This was a tom that had led countless patrols, trained many apprentices, and overall was the quintessence of power that Ivyclan had brought from their old forest. He was often compared to the strong oak tree, it could've very well been his name if not for his quick claws and blazing pelt. 

"Hickorypaw, Drizzlepaw, Sprigpaw, Chervilpaw, Rootpaw, and Leopardpaw, step forward to receive your new rank as warriors of Ivyclan." His gaze flickered to each one of them, almost judging them for their actions, their pasts, their very thoughts. It was almost impossible to not squirm underneath his intense glare. He began with words of calling upon Starclan, not used often in Ivyclan ceremonies, but then again, he was a traditionalist. 

"I, Firechaser, deputy of Ivyclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices and hope they hear my words. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn." He didn't know if Starclan would listen to him, without their blessing of nine lives, but he would try for the sake of these apprentices, this future generation of Ivyclan. Growing up with Rookstar as leader would not be easy. 

"Do you swear to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" He waited for them to all answer, and then dipped his head in firm acknowledgement, before raising his muzzle to the sky once again in desperate wishes that someone was listening. Little did he know, in the front of the crowd sat a starry furred she-cat, humming cheerily to his every word. Her yellow eyes were aglow with pride as she watched the ceremony proceed.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names."

"Hickorypaw, from this day forward you shall be known as," He paused for a moment, whispered words from the front row of the crowd reaching his unknowing ears. "Hickorysnap! You've proven time and time again that you will selflessly defend your clanmates in a heartbeat." 

"Drizzlepaw, from this day on you will be called Drizzlestone. It's become clear that you've been a voice of logic and reason among your peers, despite the fact that your clever words often get them in trouble." The words were pouring out of him, and though his voice was rough, Firechaser was glad to report that he felt strongly about each and every one of them. 

"Sprigpaw, you will henceforth be known as Sprigspots, for your familiar dappled coat and your ability to cheer anycat up from even the darkest of places." He always seemed to be in the right place at the right time, Firechaser noticed. He never really registered it, but it was as if a little voice in his head was reminding him of these achievements. 

"Chervilpaw, you've always been strong, fearless, and passionate. Something tells me this name will suit you well, Chervilblaze! As a fellow fiery clanmate, live your warrior life with pride." Has Firechaser ever talked this long at once before? He doubted it. Something was keeping him going, giving him a youthful vigor he hadn't felt in years. His gaze, still cool and stern, landed upon his own apprentice. 

"Rootpaw, you've had a rather interesting life. Despite all of your struggles, you remain a keen eyed warrior," His tone held a begrudging note of respect and pride, of course his own apprentice was accomplished! "As such, I name you Roothawk."

“Leopardpaw, you show great strength of mind and fire in your claws. No one here doubts that you are an Ivyclan warrior,” He paused, swallowing his own doubts about outsiders as if a fierce gaze was glaring at him to do so. “For this, I name you Leopardfang.” He then bowed his head slightly, allowing the clan to cheer as he sent a silent prayer up towards Starclan, and stepped down from the High Ledge. 

The she-cat in the front row smiled and called out the names of the new warriors with such an air of warmth and pride, it wouldn't be a surprise if those around her could feel her utter love and cheer. Once again, perfect names had been chosen for her warriors. 

[bits]

Oh where, oh where, was their immaculate leader?

Seeing Firechaser doing ceremonies instead of Rookstar was a relief. The dread that so often pooled in Swiftwing's stomach was eased a little, failing to vacate but letting her breathe a little easier. She liked to think of herself as loyal to Ivyclan - through familial deaths and negligence, she had stuck with the clan, pretending that the bad memories didn't shadow her every step. It seemed everywhere had some sort of horrible smog over it, and the increased isolation after Creek's  disappearance had only cemented the stones in her chest. She hated every moment of the weakness, every time she turned around expecting to see the brother she once ignored, every time she found her paw pads cracked and bleeding from endless patrols.

To top it all off, their new leader was... the worst. The absolute worst. He didn't know what he was doing, he acted erratically, and nothing seemed to be done under his rule that wasn't controversial at best and incompetent at worst. Even the five deputies seemed to be worn thin - Swiftwing wasn't in camp often enough to accurately observe the continued decline of her clan, and for that at least she was grateful.

Still, she felt a responsibility to attend meetings if nothing else. White-tipped tail lashing irritably behind her, the warrior took a deep breath in an attempt to compose herself, and listened to one of their many deputies give the appropriate ceremonies. At least someone was competent enough to get things done.

[Broadwaykat]

Dustytuft knew that there was a feeling in their clan that hadn't been there before - the feeling that things were falling down around their ears. What was worse, Dustytuft was one who was supposed to feel like everything was all together. You'd think with one leader, one Medicine Cat, their Apprentice and FIVE loyal deputies there would be some sort of calm to be found; but honestly she had the feeling that they were all tripping over one another's tails. Especially when they had Rookstar who didn't so much lead as delicate and make snap decisions.

She hated to feel disloyal to him - but at the same time she was worried for the tom. He was clearly in pain and wouldn't let any of them close. She missed Owlstar - and wondered how the she-cat was looking at them now. She still wanted to make her ancestors proud, and prepared to dig her claws in for the long hall; doing daily life one step at a time. Rather than being rankled at being overstepped by some of the seniors, she nodded at Firechaser greatfully when he took the initiative for this meeting. "You'll do wonderfully." She encouraged, before taking up her spot next to the other chosen deputies.

Now was the time to cheer on new warriors, not to bicker about who should be in charge of what.

"Leopardfang! Roothawk! Chervilblaze! Sprigspots! Drizzlestone! Hickorysnap! Congratulations, all of you!"